Wednesday 6 January 2016

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW - WARD OF THE VAMPIRE BY KALLYSTEN

~ This book gathers the 5 installments of the Ward of the Vampire serial. 
It does not contain new material. ~
Title: Ward Of The Vampire (Complete Serial)
Series: Ward Of The Vampire Series
Author: Kallysten
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire, Romance
Release Date: March 2014

BLURB from Goodreads
It’s THE party of the season. Socialites, artists and A-list stars have been invited to Morgan Ward’s birthday bash, including Angelina’s boss, Delilah.

For months, Angelina has been looking at the preparations from afar, but never did she imagine that, come the day, Miss Delilah would put her in a gorgeous gown and bring her along as her ‘plus one.’

She also never imagined that Miss Delilah and her brother were vampires, able to compel her to remain in the mansion against her will long after the party ended, or to draw her into incredibly real, dizzyingly sexy fantasies.

And she certainly never imagined that, little by little, she’d fall in love with her reluctant, standoffish host, and manage to peel back his armor to uncover his past – and his heart.


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THE INDIVIDUAL NOVELLA'S

Title: Ward Of The Vampire 
Series: Ward Of The Vampire Series #1
Author: Kallysten
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire, Romance
Release Date: 28th February 2013

BLURB from Goodreads
It’s THE party of the season. Socialites, artists and A-list stars have been invited to Morgan Ward’s birthday bash, including Angelina’s boss, Delilah.

For months, Angelina has been looking at the preparations from afar, but never did she imagine that, come the day, Miss Delilah would put her in a gorgeous gown and bring her along as her ‘plus one.’

Wandering from crowded room to crowded room in the sumptuous mansion, Angelina grows overwhelmed and escapes onto a balcony, only to find it occupied by her host. That first meeting leaves her struggling for her very life, but she soon gets an unexpected do-over.

Meeting Morgan Ward for the first time all over again, Angelina finds herself falling into his arms… But is it all only a fantasy?


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Title: The Reluctant Warden
Series: Ward Of The Vampire Series #2
Author: Kallysten
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire, Romance
Release Date: 14th May 2013

BLURB from Goodreads
When her boss brought her to the party of the season, Mr. Ward’s birthday bash, Angelina thought she had slipped on Cinderella’s shoes.

Now that she is compelled to remain in the mansion, trapped with a host who was only pleasant to her in a shared fantasy, the dream abruptly turns sour.

Under other circumstances, she might enjoy staying in an opulent guest suite, with a butler waiting on her every desire. But her cage, as gilded as it may be, remains a prison, and her host, even if he wishes she were gone, is still her warden.

As she struggles to get used to the situation, she can’t figure out what to think of Morgan Ward, a man who claims to be a vampire, who at times ignores her and at times shows himself unexpectedly thoughtful. A man she’s attracted to despite her better judgment.

However, an unexpected conversation with her boss may give her no choice but to get much closer to Morgan than she’s ready for…

Goodreads Link


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Title: Awkward Holidays
Series: Ward Of The Vampire Series #3
Author: Kallysten
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire, Romance
Release Date: 23rd July 2013

BLURB from Goodreads
Trapped in the Ward mansion with a reluctant and standoffish host – a vampire she should be afraid of but can’t help being attracted to – Angelina is preparing herself for grim, lonely holidays.

When her parents unexpectedly decide to visit, the situation, far from improving, only grows more complicated. They look forward to visiting New York with her, but how can she explain that she’s unable to leave the mansion? For that matter, what will they say when they realize she lives with a millionaire?

A hastily concocted excuse smooth's things over, but now Angelina finds herself having to work closely with Morgan Ward. It wouldn’t be so bad if Morgan was as pleasant to her as he is to her parents, but his mercurial moods leave her confused and frustrated. It doesn’t help that he seems no closer to finding a way for her to leave his house.

The New Year brings change with a startling kiss and an even more surprising guest… or is it more of the same?

Goodreads Link


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Title: The Coward's Way Out
Series: Ward Of The Vampire Series #4
Author: Kallysten
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire, Romance
Release Date: 28th October 2013

BLURB from Goodreads
When she was first trapped in the Ward mansion, an unwanted guest to millionaire and vampire Morgan Ward, Angelina could think of nothing else but how to break the compulsion that kept her prisoner. Her reluctant warden was certainly sexy and intriguing, but his standoffish behavior was outputting to say the least.

After a couple of weeks, however, after several ‘mind-trips’ into a fantasy reality in which Morgan is a perfect gentleman – and perfect lover – Angelina finds herself falling for him and struggling to understand why he tries so hard to push her away. How can a man be charming and attentive one minute… and yet deliberately infuriating the next?

A visit from Irene, this time more interested in a stroll down memory lane than in murder, starts to explain Morgan’s fears. But can Angelina break down his barriers before it’s finally time to leave, or will his past prove to be too deep of a wound to heal?

Goodreads Link


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Title: Homeward
Series: Ward Of The Vampire Series #5
Author: Kallysten
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire, Romance
Release Date: 31st January 2014

BLURB from Goodreads
When Angelina decides to put some distance between Morgan and herself, she is certain it is the right thing to do. It isn’t fear of his vampire fangs that motivates her, nor the fact that she’s been maneuvered into his life by Morgan’s meddling family, but rather the realization that he needs time to be ready for a relationship.

Her certainty that this is the correct course of action doesn’t last long.

Between nosy friends, regular text messages, impromptu lunches at the mansion and an invitation to have tea with Miss Delilah and the blood-chilling Irene, her resolve is quickly tested. And when she’s offered a private flight to the nearest thing to paradise on Earth to save Morgan from himself, she can’t say no anymore.

This trip, however, turns out much different from what she expected…

Goodreads Link


PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon UK

THE INDIVIDUAL NOVELLA 
COVER COMMENT/REVIEWS


This cover represents the actual birthday party scene/action of the book perfectly as there is a section where Angelina describes the beautiful, elegant ruby cuff links Morgan is wearing and his lack of regard of losing them during a certain scene.

This cover features a very high stiletto heeled shoe, again with the bright red colour being featured on the cover. This item is relevant in a couple of ways, firstly there's a scene where a shoe store is literally brought into mansion for Angelina, and secondly there's another scene.....but you'll read that for yourselves when you buy the novella's or complete serial. I'd recommend the the serial as when I began reading I didn't want to stop and break off and read the novella's all together. The high heeled shoes and shoes in general are mentioned throughout the novella's. The title of this novella really fits well as to be totally honest Morgan doesn't want to be Angelina's "warden" and be deemed to be forcing Angelina to stay at the mansion against her free will. Also Morgan's butler Stephen also ends up acting a little "like a warden" to Angelina too.

This cover features a glass of red wine, that I'd say is from the dinner scene when Angelina's parents visit her at the mansion and meet Morgan. The title "Awkward Holidays" fits perfectly too as things are somewhat awkward for everyone. Morgan is not used to having so many humans about, Angelina's parents immediately jump to the conclusion something romantic is going on between their daughter and the nice, wealthy well mannered Morgan. At time's it is really hilarious the ways, and the little lies that have to be told to conceal the fact that Angelina cannot physically go outside the mansion. there's an elaborate party to be planned, initially a charade and cover for the fact Angelina is living at the mansion. 

The piano featured on this cover is from a pivotal scene that Irene, Morgan's mother/maker is in. Where she forces the issue of Morgan's past out into the open in front of Angelina. The title works brilliantly, in that it could apply to either of the main characters at this juncture in the book. Morgan is being a coward, and then Angelina goes all quiet and timid and is coward in that she doesn't push the issue she most wants to talk about with Morgan, she takes the more "cowardly" action of removing herself from the situation.

The main feature of this cover is the exotic looking flower that I'd probably (from reading the book) guess without looking it up as being an orchid...which a black orchid is mentioned throughout the earlier novella's. The mansion also has a tropical, exotic, breathtaking collection of unusual, beautiful, rare plants and flowers. This sun room is featured more than once throughout the collection. The title Homeward, is that fitting? Hmm I have to admit I'm not 100% sold on the title for the last novella. Perhaps it's meant to mean the exotic location mentioned is where Morgan feel's most at home and where he is able to reveal his true feelings and self? Or maybe it refers to the very ending of the book? I can't totally pin point why but the title of this novella just doesn't fit totally right for me, alongside it's content. 

So those are my "Cover Comments/Reviews" on the individual novella cover's, below is my full, honest, review of Ward Of The Vampire, the complete serial. Which has my Cover Comments/Review of the serial within it. I hope you go ahead and decide to give this series and author a go.

MY REVIEW

Title: Ward Of The Vampire (Complete Serial)
Series: Ward Of The Vampire Series
Author: Kallysten
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire, Romance
Release Date: March 2014

BLURB from Goodreads
It’s THE party of the season. Socialites, artists and A-list stars have been invited to Morgan Ward’s birthday bash, including Angelina’s boss, Delilah.

For months, Angelina has been looking at the preparations from afar, but never did she imagine that, come the day, Miss Delilah would put her in a gorgeous gown and bring her along as her ‘plus one.’

She also never imagined that Miss Delilah and her brother were vampires, able to compel her to remain in the mansion against her will long after the party ended, or to draw her into incredibly real, dizzyingly sexy fantasies.

And she certainly never imagined that, little by little, she’d fall in love with her reluctant, standoffish host, and manage to peel back his armor to uncover his past – and his heart.


PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon UK


INITIAL THOUGHTS
To be totally honest due to health & family issues too I had been in a bit of a reading slump, or rut whatever you would call it.  So I thought I should go back to the genre that got me back into reading and blogging back in 2010 and that was vampires! As this is a collection of novella's I decided to just read the first novella and see how I went.

MY REVIEW
I downloaded this one from Netgalley for free in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
So from my initial thoughts above I think I have more or less explained I fancied a different pace/genre of book, and have to say this book did not disappoint on either point.
The cover of the complete serial is a bright red squishy looking heart which really stands out from the grey, aged weathered looking background of the cover. To me this really represents the series very well. The bright squishy heart being Angelina, and the grey, aged, cracked background representing Morgan and the life he is living before Delilah and Irene intervene by placing Angelina in his lair (mansion) and preventing her from leaving without their personal permission. they quite literally force Angelina's presence on Morgan.
So the two main character's in this book are Mr Morgan Ward, his sister Delilah and her personal assistant Angelina. To say Angelina is good at her job is an understatement she truly puts in the hours at work, often foregoing her own pleasure's to a side to put her boss, Miss Delilah's quirks and wants first! One of the strangest things Miss Delilah asked her to find were an obscure black orchid. . . it took research and a lot of time but Angelina did source and order the orchids for her employer. So when Angelina is summoned to the private quarters of Miss Delilah, to help her choose which dress to wear for her brother Mr Morgan Ward's enormous birthday party, she just automatically goes to see the outfits and accessories. Once in the room it becomes clear Miss Delilah has a whole different agenda as she almost orders Angelina to try on the outfits and then suddenly informs her that she is to attend the most talked about party ever!
Only Delilah and later we learn Irene (Delilah & Morgan's mother/maker) have rather ulterior motives in taking Angelina to the birthday party, she is to be a "gift" to Morgan as she is "his type". It's only once it's too late that Angelina realises she is a prisoner in Morgan wards home and that Morgan, Delilah and Irene are vampire's! 
The book goes on describing the fledgling friendship they have and it's many up's and down's. It is soon clear they are both wanting more than just friendship. . . though Morgan is a very private man with many dark secrets in his past. Morgan has plenty of issue's to work through before he can even begin to have a relationship with any true meaning, rather than just sex. So now I have mentioned the word "sex" there are quite a few "sex scene's" and sexual references. Would I personally call it erotica? Honestly no, it's more steamy and a little racy I guess some would say. The main reason I wouldn't say it is erotica is that there is a definite plot line to this novella collection, there's a genuine bond built between the characters of Morgan, and Angelina.
My opinion on Delilah and Irene changed continually whilst reading this series. From being horrified by Delilah and Irene forcing Angelina to stay in Morgan's mansion. Thinking they are just using Angelina to almost torment Morgan. But then as you read on, your thoughts do change. I mean Irene, Morgan and Delilah have been around centuries surely they should know by now how to coexist and not just be pushing one another's buttons and game playing
I could go on and on about this novella collection, but hey I have to leave you lots to discover for yourselves, and it's certainly worth reading. At the very beginning I was a little dubious as to how I would get along with it, due to the sexual references, and language used, and I admit I was initially a little put off by the first of the scenes, but then I found I wanted to know more about what would really happen between two unsuspecting people, one vampire, and one human that were thrown together. So I ploughed on and ended up really enjoying the book.
I loved the character of Morgan's butler, and the friendship that grows between him and Angelina. I also adored how Angelina changed as a person herself as well as her attempts at chipping away the hard exterior he has built around himself.
Even though the characters of Delilah and Irene are cast as what you could say more evil vampires, that scheme and use humans and treat them as toys that are expendable once they have been used in whatever game they are playing at the time. Though both women come across as hard hearted and at times quite vindictive it is very clear by the end of the book that they both truly love Morgan and want him to be happy and find love once again.
So from initially planning on just reading the first novella, I just continued on and on reading until I had finished the whole collection! When reading the collection there are certain title headers as you go through it but it doesn't actually number the novella's so though I felt I had read more than just one novella, the collection never seemed to drag on, the collection flows beautifully and fits well has a full length novel.
So did I enjoy the book? I surprised myself a little by getting through the steamy racy parts, though I would say that is because of the strong plot, and well developed characters.
Would I recommend the book? I would, though due to certain language, descriptions and content I would say it is for the New Adult, Adult Audience so probably 18+ age group.
Would I want to read more novella's/novels in this series? I think there are just five novella's in the "Ward Of The Vampire" Series but when I checked out Kallysten on Goodreads there are more novella's etc featuring some of the other character's in the book such as Irene, and Delilah so I fully intend to read those to learn more about the female vampires. I mean have they had relationship, how were they created? Will Morgan feature in these other novella's? How and why was he created? I still have so many questions and thoughts about these characters.
Would I want to read more titles by Kallysten? Yes I loved her vampires and how they interacted with humans so I'd love to read more of her vampire related titles as well as a few of the others such as The Demon's Age Series, and The Serenade Series as well as some of the standalone titles too.

FINAL THOUGHTS
How have I not discovered this author before? I'll definitely be checking out more of her books, starting with the other titles about certain characters from this series of novella's.

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