Blood and Roses by Aislinn Kerry
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Short Story (45 pgs)
Other: M/M
Rating: 3.5 cherries
Review by CactusIn this world, love can put you on the wrong end of a stake…
The last thing Arjen wants is a vampire in his bed. The rest of the world may be enamored of the creatures, but he doesn’t share the obsession. When local vampire Maikel van Triet pays a visit to the brothel, Arjen tries to slip away—drawing the one thing he doesn’t want: Maikel’s attention. Arjen’s too pragmatic to refuse a paying customer, but Maikel doesn’t want his services. All he asks for is a bed, shelter, and a meal before bedtime.
Arjen’s reticence and open dislike intrigue Maikel, who’s delighted by the jaded young prostitute’s attitude, so different from the adoration he’s accustomed to. He’s never been a regular patron at any brothel, but now he can’t keep himself away. He still refuses Arjen’s services though, instead demanding Arjen tuck him in with tales of the daytime Amsterdam he hasn’t known for nearly two centuries. But when Arjen tries to seduce him into leaving, he realizes they’re forging something completely unfamiliar to him: emotional bonds.
It’s equally obvious to Arjen that their arrangement is becoming more than either of them expected, and the thought terrifies him. Vampires are shallow, fickle creatures, and Maikel could never truly love another—could he?
Warning: Contains blood, vampire bites, unapologetic prostitution, and lots of gay vampire lovin’.
Can a cynical whore and a vulnerable vampire find common ground? Well-seasoned male whore Arjen doesn’t simper over vampires like other prostitutes in the brothel. In fact, he’d be happy if they stay well away from him, but when sexy vampire Maikel buys him for the night, the money is too good to say no. Except neither Arjen nor Maikel are as they seem. As their nights slowly evolve into a pattern, emotions develop on both sides. Yet Maikel’s fickle nature and Arjen’s cynical confusion threaten to drive the two apart.
This engaging and interesting novella is almost too short to truly develop. The characters are interesting but not fully three-dimensional. Typically, antibiotics and some other medications, alcohol, poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, viagra sample etc. Over the years, scientific research and clinical evidence have studied postcholecystectomy chronic diarrhea; they found that the use cialis in kanada click here for info of ginseng results to an improved nitric oxide production, which helps in the enhancement of erection for men. That hope of cure was found with wonder pill, Kamagra, a medication viagra sales in uk that helped them to take a sigh of relief as a great alternative of generic pills is available i.e. These are some viagra vs generic very helpful games for couples to ramp up their sexual stamina for turning happiness ON in their relationship. The plot is a classic with a lot of well-used elements; however, hints of changes are still there. Unfortunately none of these are fully evolved and thus the story has more potential than what is actually delivered. The story is told more than it is shown and thus the reader is told all about these grand conversations the two have, talking all night until morning instead of offering actual dialogue. I would have loved to see more than a sentence or two of such great conversations and thus felt disconnected from the characters and the emotion displayed.
What does help the story are the glimpses into the world building, which include interesting descriptions, rich detailing, and witty dialogue. Unfortunately the story follows the day-to-day activities of Arjen, in first person past tense, a little too much. Again the story tells rather than shows the relationship unfolding, but the glimpses of description are addictive and show real potential. The sexual tension between the two men is at times sizzling and other times awkward. Just as the prose can be riveting and other times bland. This ultimately led to an uneven story but with the short length, easy to read and mostly enjoyable.
I think this title will definitely appeal to vampire genre fans and the emotional connection between the men will appeal to readers who crave a little bit of angst in their m/m romance. The few quibbles I had may jar the reader occasionally but the few highlights in description and rich texture help smooth over those problematic spots. This is an author I’ll keep an eye on and would be interested to read more from. Be sure to check out this novella.
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