Customer Reviews

Bled Dry (Vegas Vampires, Book 3)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The third book in the Vegas Vampires series was easily the best of the bunch. I loved the first two books, but this one blew me away. From page one I was completely engrossed, on page two I had my first big laugh and that set the pace for a fantastic read.

Brittany Baldizzi had a crazy childhood. She never knew her father; her mother was a stripper who died of a drug overdose, leaving Brittany's older half sister, Alexis (High Stakes), to raise her. Brittany strives for as much normalcy in her life as possible. Complicating that goal is the fact that she is half vampire; her sister was recently turned vampire and now Brittany finds herself pregnant by, you guessed it, a vampire.

Corbin Altelier has been a vampire for over 100 years. He is an outcast amongst vampire 'society' due to a past crime and his current controversial scientific research. Finding out he is going to be a father for the first time is more than a little shock to him.

Ms. McCarthy had me hysterical, I was laughing out loud throughout this book. She has a wonderful way of writing that makes this vampire theme seem so real and natural. She took a fairly common storyline of an unexpected pregnancy and made it unique and fresh with the vampire element and some other obstacles, yet it all seems so plausible. You'll expect to run into Brittany, Corbin and the rest of the gang, the next time you fly to Vegas for the weekend. This book isn't all sunshine and roses; there are some real heartbreaking moments and some definite problems that arise and have to be solved. I think I cried as much as I laughed.

I am not sure if she plans to continue this series, but I would definitely welcome another Vegas Vampire Tale. This is not a stand alone book; you really need to have read the first two in the series before starting this one. I read this book today and I am already looking forward to rereading it in the very near future. Enjoy!

Original review can be found at RomanceJunkies.com.

Brittany Baldizzi is your average, everyday dentist practicing in Las Vegas. Well, maybe not so average. Her sister, Alexis, is married to the President of the Vampire Nation. On top of that, Brittany's father is a vampire, although no one is sure of his identity. Irresistibly drawn to vampire Corbin Atelier, Brittany throws caution to the wind for one night of passion. Although she expects there to be some repercussions from that tryst, pregnancy is not one of the foreseen complications. Unfortunately, the father of her baby seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth, or at least from the Las Vegas strip.

Corbin Jean Michel Atelier is first and foremost a scientist. He has spent years searching for a cure to vampirism. Corbin is a vampire of nearly 300 years of age. He knows that he lost control the night he made love to Brittany and then promptly fled her apartment. Protection never crossed his mind. Corbin is stunned when Brittany informs him that she is carrying his baby. He vows to do the right thing by Brittany and the baby. He tells her that they will marry as soon as possible. Brittany disagrees. She feels that it is important for two people to love one another before committing to marriage. Corbin is determined to convince Brittany that his intentions are honorable with respect to asking for her hand in marriage.

Corbin and Brittany's child is expected to be very special. Their child will be three-quarters vampire with all the powers but none of the weaknesses of the vampire species. When certain members of the Vampire Nation learn of the pregnancy, they attempt to gain control of the child by kidnapping Brittany. These rogue vampires also seek to control the information concerning Corbin's scientific endeavors to cure vampirism. Will Corbin be able to protect Brittany and their unborn baby? What about the cure for vampirism, is it real or just a distant dream? Can these two soon-to-be parents find enough common ground to make a relationship work? Will the vampires that want to control Corbin and Brittany's child create havoc in the Vampire Nation?

Erin McCarthy's BLED DRY is a wonderful tale of unexpected blessings and unforeseen complications. McCarthy's fans will recognize the characters from her previous two books, HIGH STAKES and BIT THE JACKPOT. Revisiting the cast of characters from the previous novels is like visiting with old friends and catching up on their lives.

Brittany and Corbin are a wonderfully matched couple who must overcome some serious hurdles to their relationship. I love Corbin's determination to convince Brittany that they should be together. Brittany's resolve to do what is right for everyone involved is a trait that I greatly admire. Although obstacles may stand in the way of a happily-ever-after, this couple never gives up on trying to do what is best for them and their baby.

McCarthy puts her characters in some unusual but very entertaining circumstances. Let me tell you, it is quite comical to read about a couple of drunken vampires and the trouble they cause. Additionally, Corbin's attendance at parenting classes certainly had me laughing out loud. Underneath everything that happens is a thread of romance which holds the story together and brings about a very satisfying conclusion. BLED DRY is a fantastic addition to any romance lover's library. Do not miss reading this amazing book!

Getting pregnant after a one night stand with a vampire was not part of Brittany Baldizzi's plan. Brittany hasn't seen the soon-to-be father, Corbin Jean Michel Atelier, since then but she is determined to find him and let him know that he is to be a father. Corbin is shocked by the news and wants to do the right thing... but will it destroy them both in the process?

Erin McCarthy's books are always perfect for when you are in the mood for some fun, lighthearted reading. BLED DRY is no exception, and I think it is actually the funniest one in the series. I love the way Ms. McCarthy addressed the whole issue of a vampire dealing with the idea of childbirth. Some of these moments between Brittany and Corbin were absolutely hysterical!

Most of the ongoing threads between the characters seen throughout HIGH STAKES and BIT THE JACKPOT are resolved, although there are still some tantalizing tidbits left to ponder. BLED DRY can easily be read as a stand alone, however, as all of the necessary back history is provided for the reader. I would suggest that the reading of these books be spaced out a bit and not read back to back as Erin McCarthy has a definite style that would be muted a bit if the books are read consecutively.

BLED DRY is an enjoyable and amusing tale that finally ends the drama between Corbin and Brittany. The issues between Ringo and Kelsey only get more complicated, and I look forward to seeing more of a resolution between them. Erin McCarthy puts her own stamp on vampire politics with BLED DRY and the Vegas Vampires series.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

If you haven't read the first two, stop. The author does not provide enough backstory for you to care about any of these characters to start with this book.

This series is in the larger "trade" format, prices start at $10.49. Personally, it's not worth it. I won't be continuing the series at that price. If it ever goes to the mass-market size and price I might consider it.

Bled Dry is the amusing tale that you could see coming in the previous two stories in McCarthy's series. Corbin, who is doing the vampire version of parole for accidentally being culpable in a mortals killing 40 years ago, impregnated Brittany Baldizzi, the half-human/half-vampire sister of the First Lady of the vampires. Now we watch them stumble into love and the reality that they are going to have a child together. Not just any normal baby, but a 3/4 vampire baby.

Some things were glaringly obvious from the start. Brittany will turn out to be baddy vampire Donatelli's long lost daughter. The new vampire in town would be evil. Corbin is completely oblivious of all things that aren't science. Alexis will learn to respect the love between her sister and Corbin. And eventually they'll all end up a happy married family.

But watching Corbin struggle through baby bootcamp while Brittany realized the gross and impersonal horrors of watching amnio's and child birth was truly funny. It made me VERY glad that I myself have not elected the pregnancy route, but still sympathetic. And there is still one revelation at the end of the book that I did not expect. So enjoy!

I brought Bled Dry becase it's the 3rd book in the Vegas Vampire story. I like it becuase it's funny and has great characters who you'll learn to like, even though they are vampires.

Pregnancy, especially the unplanned sort, comes with all sorts of challenges. When the father is a vampire, someone the mom-to-be really thought could not sire a child and who she has not seen in the weeks since the begetting, the complications are initially squared. Brittany Baldizzi had no idea that Corbin Atelier could get her pregnant, and on their one time together at that. Him being a vampire makes things difficult enough. Finding out their child will be at least three-quarters vampire thanks to her recessive genes, is just one more hassle. Things only get worse from there on out. Corbin is not the most popular vampire in the world, given his scientific research into how to cure vampirism. Their child could become a bargaining chip to be used against him or a possible science experiment for less than kindly intentioned other vampires. That is enough to drive both parents batty. Then, Corbin finds out how difficult a pregnant woman can be and learns the true meaning of fear.

**** Light-hearted fun is mixed with edgy suspense as the hero and heroine confront the difficulties presented by their rather unique situation. Ms. McCarthy's spin on the vampire mythos uses new and old elements in an effective blending to build an exciting world. The political and medical ethical issues raised are ones that come very close to mirroring reality in a way that could give new perspective and insights into current events in a way that is more accessable to readers. The Vegas Vampires is a series that is not a gamble, but a sure bet for enjoyment. ****

Amanda Killgore

Nobody told Brittany that vampires could procreate. Who'd of thunk that having sex with a vampire would have such consequences. But that is just the situation she finds herself in. By a 100 year old vampire no less that is treated as a outcast because of his research. These two have a few issues to work through and they take you along on a funny and sometimes adventurous romp.
As a first time reader of Ms. McCarthy I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny and fast-paced and chicklit at its finest. I will definitely be picking up her other books because with the wacky secondary characters in this book. I just know I'll enjoy their stories too.

In Las Vegas, everyone knows making passionate love with a vampire can be dangerous if your partner loses control and leaves you with a bite more than a hickey. However, making love with the undead also means no need for birth control as no procreation that way is possible. Tell all that to Brittany Baldizzi, who after a night of wild lovemaking is six months pregnant carrying missing vampire Corbin Atelier's offspring though she cannot find him.

Corbin wants to return to being a human so he hunts a cure. However, he is shocked when he learns the woman whom he shared the greatest night of his life with, alive and dead, is carrying his fetus. He wants to be a daddy and would not mind a forging a family with Brittany. However, can a mortal and an immortal make a permanent relationship even for the sake of their half-breed unborn?

BLED DRY is a humorous chick lit vampire romance as the lead couple argue over his paternal rights while falling in love. The opening scene in which a stunned Brittany reacts to Dr. Hopkins; news that "once is all it takes" sets the tone of the lighthearted romp as the future momma thinks Corbin's "boys could still swim". Fans will enjoy this HIGH STAKES fun tale with a BIT THE JACKPOT telepathic chick lit twist.

Harriet Klausner

This is my favorite of the Vegas vamp series, by far. Laugh out loud funny! The interplay between Brittany and Corbin is priceless. The parenting classes are hilarious, as is the fitting room 'encounter'. Erin McCarthy's humor is A+++. Highly recommend this book if you want a light-hearted read about vamps.