This box set contains the first four books in the Moon Virus Series.
Book 1 - Raven's Blood
Book 2 - Embrace the Heat
Book 3 - Seducing Death
Book 4 - Shattered Restraint
The first two books each contain a graphic scene involving physical and psychological abuse which may be disturbing to some readers.
Book 1: Raven's Blood
Following the death of her wood nymph mother at the hands of vampires, Raven worked hard to build a life for herself in one of the few remaining human settlements. Her life takes a frightening turn when she finds herself an unwilling guest in a vampire settlement, but things are not anything like she expected them to be. Still, she cannot help but feel that her attraction to the vampire leader is a betrayal to her mother’s memory and her human friends.
From the moment Connor first laid eyes on Raven she has thrown his entire world off-balance. In order to prove his strength as a leader, he has no choice but to take her up on her offer to trade her freedom for that of her human friends. Having begun his life as a slave, he has no interest in keeping the wood nymph captive. As a man, he has no desire to feel this overwhelming attraction to a woman who hates him and his kind.
As Raven spends more time with the vampires, her feelings for Connor grow even stronger and Connor finds that she may be the one thing he cannot live without. Unfortunately, a new danger emerges that could threaten the survival of vampires and humans alike. As Connor struggles to unravel the mystery of the attacks from a new species of vampire, a madman will go to any lengths to get Raven’s blood.
Rating
5 Stars
Review
I have found a new paranormal romance series that I love. Raven’s Blood has something that you usually don’t see in a vampire book. It explains how vampirism came to be. Specifically by an engineered virus that is called the Moon Virus. Made specifically to ease the overpopulation of the earth by mostly wiping out the poor, criminals and burdens of the human race.
The Moon Virus somehow made 2 different sets of vampires, crazed ones and ones that are normal and just need blood to survive. The ones that are normal are called blood brats. They were kept for horrible reasons by the humans. Decades later a lot of humans didn’t know there were 2 types of vampires that the moon virus created, that knowledge was kept secret from most of them.
Raven is part nymph and part human so when her mother dies her father takes her in and she ends up living in a settlement with other humans. While out on a medical supply run with a group of friends she runs across what she thinks are crazed vampires only to find out that they aren’t crazy and they don’t blindly attack her and her friends. She offers herself as prisoner in exchange for her friends release. The leader of the vampire group, Connor, takes the deal because he is drawn to her and sees her sacrifice as admirable. He doesn’t plan on keeping her prisoner but she doesn’t need to know that. He just has to keep his libido in check until he can release her without suspicion from anyone but that’s not going to be easy because she’s a nymph after all. As Raven gets to know her captor and his friends, she starts to fall for him. Will she ever see her friends again? Especially with a threat looming from an unexpected source.
Baddies, hot alpha vampires and tough heroines, OH MY. There was never a dull moment in this book, it was very well plotted out and has a great set of characters. The author has a great series here and you don’t want to miss out on this first book of The Moon Virus Novels.
★★★
Book 2: Embrace the Heat
On her seventh birthday Layla’s mother mysteriously disappeared. Raised by a wood nymph in one of the few remaining human settlements, Layla learned to fight from an early age. She also learned to distrust the vampires who rule most of the land. When a vampire saves her life, Layla finds herself more than a little drawn to him, even knowing he could never give his heart to a human.
The trauma of his childhood left Simon weary and distrustful of all humans, until the day he saved Layla’s life. After seeing the spirited human fighting like a seasoned warrior, Simon can’t help but respect and admire her. He soon learns that Layla is much more than he ever imagined, and he finds it hard to stay away from her. Despite the depths of his feelings, Simon knows there can be no future for them.
Both of their worlds are turned upside down as Layla nears her twenty-seventh birthday. Suddenly the male vampires are inexplicably drawn to her, and Simon is no exception. As they unravel the mystery of Layla’s heritage, an enemy from their past resurfaces and threatens to destroy Simon and all that he cares for.
Rating
5 Stars
Review
I loved Raven's Blood and I equally love Embrace the Heat. The idea behind the whole moon virus was genius. In other books you don't usually read about the creation of vampirism, or what makes a vampire a vampire but in Raven's Blood and Embrace the Heat you get the back story of the virus. While that was nice to see, I did not care for the time jumps to do so. I know the time jumps add to the story and give it depth, but they just aren't for me. I didn't let that turn me off though.
The characters in both books were equally plotted out well. You briefly meet Layla and Simon in Raven's Blood but you don't have to read it to read Embrace the Heat. It can be read as a standalone. But I suggest you read Raven's Blood also because it is what got me hooked on the Moon Virus series and you don't want to miss any of these hot alpha guys.
Layla was abandoned at the age of 7 when her mother turned 27. That doesn't raise any suspicions until Layla's 27th birthday starts to roll around. She's not sure what is happening to her and neither is anyone else. She pretty much worshiped the ground that Simon walked on because he saved her life and she is definitely attracted to him too but she knows that Simon will never reciprocate those feelings because he is scarred from his childhood. Humans did unthinkable things too him and he can't imagine having feelings for one..Ever! But when Layla seems to be in trouble will he put his past behind him to help her out and let free reign on his heart? Can they figure out what is wrong with her before chaos reigns in the community? As if all that wasn't enough they also have to face off to an old enemy that threatens everyone's safety with a new version of the virus.
More baddies, more hot alpha vampires and more tough heroines what more can you ask for in a book? Give this series a try today and don't miss out on Cassandra Lawson's stories of the moon virus.
★★★
Book 3: Seducing Death
In the decade following the brutal murder of his wife and daughter, Ian has existed in a world built on grief and hatred. Just when Ian has finally begun to claw his way through the shadows of his past, a knife to the heart ends it all . . . or is it the beginning? After waking up in a strange home, Ian’s only companion is the woman who saved him. Undeniably drawn to her, Ian finds himself wondering if it really is possible to love again.
Trapped in a world where she is little more than a pawn for the Fae, Kyleigh long ago accepted the reality of her existence. She is no one’s savior and no one’s guardian angel; she is death. That is until she breaks all the rules to save a vampire many believe beyond salvation. Ian sparks a passion she never believed possible and reawakens emotions she thought long buried.
While secluded in a realm between life and death, Ian and Kyleigh are free to explore their feelings for each other. When enemies, past and present, join forces to destroy those Ian loves, they are forced to leave the safety of Kyleigh’s realm. Can their fragile bond survive when they are faced with the demons of Ian’s past?
★★★
Book 4: Shattered Restraint
As a half-breed shapeshifter, Quinn has always assumed she would be sent away when she fails to change into a lynx on her twenty-seventh birthday. Her future seems hopeless until she meets Danny, a human who helps her dream of a life beyond the next two years. When she discovers that everything she’s ever believed about her heritage is a lie, her world is turned upside down, and she is no longer sure she can fully commit to Danny.
Rating
5 Stars
Review
I just love Cassandra's writing, books and characters that come out of her head. It's been a while since I read the last Moon Virus Novel and her story telling ability is such that I was able to just jump right back into the lives of all the characters at the born vampires settlement without pause. I read this book in almost one sitting - I had to sleep so don't judge lol - but picked it back up this morning and read the rest.
Danny and Quinn's story is one of loss, self pity, hope, love and acceptance.
Quinn is fiery young half shifter/half human who in 2 years may or may not go through her first shift when she meets Danny. There is an immediate connection between the two but it can't really go anywhere because of who her Uncle is. So she leaves his house the morning after meeting him, never expecting to see him again but fate always has a way of intervening when two souls are destined to be together. She needs saving and protected after finding out she is not half human but something else entirely.
Danny goes through a traumatic experience and because of his past it makes it hard for him to accept himself after he is kidnapped and then is able to escape. He barely deals with it but with the help of Quinn who keeps him distracted and focused only on her, he slowly learns to love himself again.
I'm looking forward to the next Moon Virus Novel to see what kind of magical mix of love Cassandra Lawson can create again. I highly recommend all the Moon Virus Novels!
I received a complimentary copy of this title for review purposes.
AMAZON * AMAZON UK
AMAZON CA * AMAZON AU
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