Customer Reviews

Blood Calls (The Calling, Book 6 / Silhouette Nocturne)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When Diego first appeared in TEMPTATION CALLS, I just knew I had to write his story. I hope you will enjoy reading about him as he is a complex vampire character with a heart that can love deeply.

Here's some of the early reviews for BLOOD CALLS:

5 Angels from Fallen Angel Reviews: "Having read Death Calls, Devotion Calls, and Blood Calls one after the other, I am impressed with how original each book is even though they share characters at times. Caridad Piñeiro has done a wonderful job, once again, developing believable characters in believable circumstances with unbelievable characteristics. She has allowed the reader to suspend belief and delve into her world time and time again only to see new nuances each time they visit. I am hooked. Thank you for hours of amazing reading."
5 Stars from HUNTRESS REVIEWS -- Reviewed by Detra Fitch : Author Caridad Piñeiro pumps so much life into all her characters that I almost believe they are real. Special Agent Diana Reyes, and her vampire lover, Ryder, are secondary characters in this Nocturne episode. (If you have not read their story, titled DEATH CALLS, you will still have no trouble with this book. Other secondary characters had their story told in previous titles too.) The main characters of this story, Diego and Ramona, are a perfect match for each other. I never felt the need to hit one of them on their head because of any sort of stupidity. They are both intelligent and realistic people, while also cautious when it comes to their hearts. Creating characters that I can actually care for is a special talent in authors, and therefore, I cannot recommend this title highly enough.
4 stars, Just Erotic Romance Reviews: "In addition to being an imaginative writer, Ms. Pineiro is a daring one as well. She has created an unusual heroine in Ramona by giving her artistic passion and an ailing body that cannot keep up with her larger than life goals. Diego is a very complex character to like. The constant battle between his human and vampire self is intriguing to read. . . There is a depth in every character within this dark, steamy world struggling to keep a balance between humanity and the blood craving clan. Although it has loads of action and beautifully written scenarios, the storyline doesn't overload the senses while the reader is engrossed deeply in imagining everything."
Alternative Worlds: "The vampire romance novels of Caridad Pineiro's "The Calling" Series are tastefully erotic, very action oriented and character driven. In BLOOD CALLS, number six in the series, the protagonists are afraid to love for very different reasons. Ramona, knowing time is short, is determined to live life to the fullest and meet the goal of seeing her mother cared for in a nursing home for the for the rest of her natural life. Readers will like Ramona but adore Diego whose mixed emotions make him a believable character."
5 Stars from SingleTitles: "BLOOD CALLS is an astounding mix of passionate emotions with the paranormal, resulting in a mesmerizing story of eternal love. . .The romance between Diego and Ramona is beautifully expressed, where their every thought and deed are significant in the outcome of their relationship. With the threat of danger escalating throughout the story, there is no way to put this book down until the final word is read. A gripping and satisfying story, BLOOD CALLS will pull readers into this alluring vampire world."

In New York City, art gallery owner Diego Rivera is intrigued by artist Ramona Escobar whose paintings are full of life. Diego, an old vampire, is drawn to them and knowing that Ramona needs money for her mother's long term care (she has Alzheimer's) he gives her a show whose proceeds will go towards her mother's treatment. Ramona accepts a commission to paint reproductions of famous paintings.

At an auction she sees those paintings have sold as originals and when she complains, the patron threatens her and her mother. She doesn't know what to do because time is running out for her as she is dying from a virulent form of anemia. Diego, who knows nothing of this, grows more intrigued by Ramona but he tries to hide his feelings because mortals have a short life and when it ends, he knows he will mourn Ramona forever. He does help her with the problem with the paintings but he is not in time to keep danger from claiming her. Star-crossed lovers, they want each other but keep their feelings hidden until their lives change when certain truths are revealed.

The vampire romance novels of Caridad Pineiro's "The Calling" Series are tastefully erotic, very action oriented and character driven. In BLOOD CALLS, number six in the series, the protagonists are afraid to love for very different reasons. Ramona, knowing time is short, is determined to live life to the fullest and meet the goal of seeing her mother cared for in a nursing home for the for the rest of her natural life. Readers will like Ramona but adore Diego whose mixed emotions make him a believable character.

Harriet Klausner

I love the cover of this book: it was one of the first Silhouette Nocturnes I'd ever seen, and it calls to mind the classic image of the vampire lover entering the window of a young woman's bedroom...

That woman is Ramona Escobar, a young artist in modern day New York, and the vampire is Diego Rivera, a Elder vampire who was turned in the days of the Spanish Inquisition. While trying to establish herself as an artist, Ramona also wants only to take care of her aging mother, as well as find a good treatment for the aggressive form of anemia sapping her strength. Diego has become her patron, but his vampiric nature wants their relationship to become something much more than a mere professional connection. But when a wealthy buyer hoodwinks Ramona into helping him carry out a forgery and she tries to alert the authorities, she finds that only Diego may be able to keep her from a fate worse than death...

My only major carp with this book is that Diego's turning was never fully explained, which detracted from his character development. Aside from that, I enjoyed seeing the hero and heroine of The Calling: Death Calls (Book 4) (Nocturne), a previous volume of this same series, playing vital supporting roles. Ramona might seem like a damsel in distress, but she's strong at the core, despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her. And despite his many years, and how time can erode a vampire's humanity, and despite momentary lapses of moral judgement, Diego manages to retain his humanity and his honorable nature. I'd love to see these characters again sometime soon, perhaps in another addition to this series!

Definately the best in the series. A great view into the world of Vampires. Diego's story starts with the Spanish Inquisition and comes up to present day where he saves the woman he loves with his vampire's bite. I can't wait for the next book and I hope we'll see Diego's character again.

Currently the owner of a New York City art gallery, Diego Rivera is a centuries old vampire who had long ago learned that beauty is only skin deep. Once he had been a man given to excess who only cared about his own pleasure and material possessions. Then his beautiful and faithless wife had turned him over to the Spanish Inquisition. His mortal life had been lost but he had been given second chance due to the love of a plain and simple servant girl (Esperanza) and a vampire's kiss. Diego had vowed then to be a better man in spite of his new undead existence.

Unfortunately his new chance for love had been compromised when Esperanza was caught for aiding him. He had turned her in order to keep her, but the undead existence had changed her irrevocably. He had watched her die a little inside as everything thing she knew passed away and everyone she loved was lost. Her unlife had ended in death as well centuries later at the hands of a madman and Diego had sworn that he would never turn another human.

Ramona Escobar is a talented artist who had captured Diego's attention years ago when she'd been a young art student. Her passion and skill had inspired him to offer her a showing at his gallery. Ramona is grateful as her mother is suffering from Alzheimer's and she herself has been diagnosed with a fatal form of anemia. Her days grow short and she badly needs the money the sales would bring, so much so that she had also accepted a commission from a wealthy and powerful billionaire to create accurate reproductions of several masterpieces he intended to put up for auction. When Ramona attends the auction it is obvious that her own works are being passed off as the originals. Hoping for a simple explanation she confronts her patron. Threats are made against her mother and then Ramona is nearly killed when she refuses to keep quiet. Diego saves her in the nick of time.

Attraction has been brewing between the two for some time, but both have their secrets. Diego cannot allow himself to love a human woman with a short life span and watch her die, nor will he turn her and watch her change before his eyes. Diego has no idea how short her life span will undoubtedly be for Ramona cannot bring herself to tell him the truth. In spite of his intense feelings for her Diego still believes that beautiful women are not to be trusted so he keeps his vampire nature to himself as well. When her secret is finally revealed he feels justified for his mistrust. The revelation of his own secret has a similar effect on her.

Diego however does remain involved with the forgery case and Ramona's doctor Melissa Danvers brings in her sister-in-law FBI agent Diana Reyes and her vampire lover Ryder Latimer. Diego had called his friend Ryder all kinds of a fool for loving a human but it's clear to the younger vampire that Diego has been bitten by the same bug whether he wants to admit it or not.

Danger escalates as Ramona continues to refuse to be cowed by threats. She has nothing left to lose. Or does she? This book could have been entitled "Diego's Dilemma" so tormented is he by the events of his past and the effect of the choices he's already made. He also fears that his advancing age will soon rob him of his last shred of humanity. Will Diego's undead life be worth living if he lets this chance for love pass him by? If the criminal is not caught, will he even get a chance to make that choice?

Diego and Ramona, star-crossed lovers if there ever were but somehow they both manage to come to terms with their demons and even though a positive outcome was guaranteed due to the nature of romance novels, this story brought tears to this reader's eyes as their struggle played out. The pain and desperation felt when facing the loss of a loved one was extremely poignant and while Diego is able to make his peace with his choices, Diana and Ryder have yet to find their way to that place of acceptance. We will be seeing more of them in upcoming series novels. We will also soon find out if it is possible for an elder to retain their humanity as Stacia's story unfolds. Caridad Piñeiro is a consummate story teller who has the ability to put the reader inside the hearts, minds, and souls of her characters. If you haven't read the five previous novels, I highly recommend that you do.

Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch for PNR Reviews

KF Zuzulo is the author of A Genie in the House of Saud: Zubis Rises (A Genie in the House of Saud)

A man who has integrity despite the fact that he'll drain your blood given a dark night and a reason. But he also has his depraved side, just enough to make him dangerous, not creepy. That's Diego for you. Following the demise of his centuries-old love, Esperanza, Diego honors her memory, but must tackle a tickling desire for voluptuous Ramona. What will he do? Well, you probably know that -- but it's how he does it that makes Pineiro a consummate storyteller. And Ramona has some surprises of her own, enough to keep Diego interested. Blood Calls -- Diego Answers. A quick and lusty read, and worth every turn of the page.

Diego Rivera is a vampire who has lived hundreds of years, the last without his beloved wife Esperanza. Now because of his love for art, Diego owns a gallery which has given him the pleasure of getting to know an artist named Ramona Escobar. Diego keeps his attraction to Ramona well hidden but the sensuality in her paintings calls to him. Diego has no intention of falling for, then losing, a mortal though, and his lack of trust keeps him from exploring his feelings for her as well.

Only through her paintings does Ramona speak of the love she has for Diego. She's dying and knows she has no future with him so she concentrates instead on making sure her ailing mother will be safe and cared for after she is gone.

Ramona becomes aware that the paintings she has replicated have been passed off as originals and her life is thrown into danger. It soon becomes clear that the only way Diego can save Ramona is to do the one thing he swore he would never do again.

Ramona's battle for life and Diego's struggle to keep his distance from Ramona create many emotion filled moments in Blood Calls. Ramona is lovely, both inside and out. I don't find it sexy when a man claims to be enamored with one woman but then has sex with other women, regardless of his reasons. Diego did eventually become an honorable man in my eyes though. The intense and moving scenes in Blood Calls make it an exciting and poignant story.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Diego Rivera became a vampire in Spain, 1491. For over five hundred years Diego has kept his promise to be a better man than he had been while human. He is now a patron of the arts. He has personally known many famous artists in history. Currently, Diego is fascinated with the work of Ramona Escobar. He discovered the lady's talent while she was in college.

Ramona Escobar is trying to get her house in order. The only family she has left is her mother, who is institutionalized due to advanced Alzheimer's. Thanks to Diego's patronage, her mother receives good care. But Ramona needs her recently completed art pieces sold quickly. Except for Dr. Melissa Danver, no one knows that Ramona is terminally ill. If Ramona had any hope of a future, she may have tried for romance with Diego. As it is, Ramona believes it best to remain uninvolved with anyone.

When Ramona finds out that Frederick van Winter has sold HER copies of some famous paintings as originals, she turns to the only one who just might believe her, Diego. Diego contacts Special Agent Diana Reyes, who is currently on desk work only (Diana's story is in a previous book), for help in proving her innocence. It gets worse when van Winters threatens Ramona's mother and someone tries to run Ramona down.

Can they prove that a psycho millionaire is out to kill Ramona? Can Diego keep himself from falling in love with a dying woman? And will Ramona be able to clear her name before she dies?

***** Author Caridad Piñeiro pumps so much life into all her characters that I almost believe they are real. Special Agent Diana Reyes, and her vampire lover, Ryder, are secondary characters in this Nocturne episode. (If you have not read their story, titled DEATH CALLS, you will still have no trouble with this book. Other secondary characters had their story told in previous titles too.) The main characters of this story, Diego and Ramona, are a perfect match for each other. I never felt the need to hit one of them on their head because of any sort of stupidity. They are both intelligent and realistic people, while also cautious when it comes to their hearts. Creating characters that I can actually care for is a special talent in authors, and therefore, I cannot recommend this title highly enough. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Blood Calls starts out interesting enough until it crash lands in the present day and becomes a quagmire of repeated statements such as Would he lose his humanity? He was a highly ranked vampire. She's going to need medication/medical attention. She was dying. She was a dead woman walking. There's no need to beat the reader over the head with the same mundane information. At least word it differently if it absolutely needs repeating.

Ramona was supposed to have anemia, but toward the end she was suffering from what was described as a nasty ebola/hemophelia hybrid.

The forgery "ring" was lame and forced. Not to mention the auction house and buyers must have been the dumbest art patrons NYC has yet seen. Van Winter was a weak and pointless villian. So he sold a couple of fakes, so what, if he's as rich and powerful as he claims, he'd crawl out of the situation in one piece.

Diego came across as weak for a vampire. Ramona was a weak heroine. Why? Because the characters were two dimensional and not very well developed.

Overall, this was a long book for as little character building, world building, and action that took place.