Tempted by Blood (Hqn) [Mass Market Paperback]

Laurie London (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 21, 2012 | Series: Hqn

Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the battle for supremacy rages on between two Vampire coalitions:

Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors….

He might be known for his effortless charm, but Guardian Jackson Foss is hiding a terrible secret. For months, he has battled the emergence of his dark nature—deadly urges that threaten to consume him. And those cravings only intensify when he meets Arianna Wells, the human he's been assigned to protect. Smart and perceptive, Arianna doesn't seem like a dangerous temptress. Yet she awakens in Jackson an unstoppable need that, if left unchecked, will brand him a traitor…a crime punishable by death.

But soon their bond may be Arianna's only hope. For stalking her in the shadows is a merciless enemy—one who will stop at nothing to claim her completely….

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tempted by Blood is a fun, easy read." USA Today HEA Blog

"I opened Tempted By Blood and started reading...and couldn't stop." 4.5 Stars, Vampire Book Club

"London's Sweetblood series kicks into high gear with this third installment featuring a hero on the edge." 4 Stars, RT Book Reviews

"I'm completely addicted to this series and its unforgettable characters." Joyfully Reviewed

"Dark and sinfully sexy...I'm totally addicted."

-New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair on Bonded by Blood

"Plenty of scintillating passion and character drama make this story an entertaining pleasure!"

--RT Book Reviews on Bonded by Blood

From the Author

TEMPTED BY BLOOD is Jackson and Arianna's story.

I had a very interesting experience writing this book that I want to share with you. Two actual locations near where I live in the Seattle area inspired several turning points in the story.

One is an old sanitarium nicknamed Starvation Heights that burned to the ground many years ago. Around the turn of the century, Linda Hazzard developed a "treatment" called starvation therapy that was supposed to cure many ailments. People would pay her large sums of money to stay at the sanitarium for "treatment," but many ended up dying. To cover up their deaths, the bodies were dumped into a ravine on the property. I attended a Ghost Conference in Port Gamble (a little town on the way to Forks, Wash.) where I first heard the stories. One of the paranormal research teams conducted an investigation there and picked up the sound of voices on the EVP. I heard the recording. Someone actually said, "Help me." It was chilling.

The second location is a cemetery near my home. I can't tell you the name because it's set on private property. People often sneak in at night between the houses (just like what happens in the book) to find the "stairway to hell." Local kids (including my high school son) have heard about it. (As far as I know, he hasn't been there...) Supposedly, if you walk down the stairs and turn around, you'll be looking straight into hell...or so the story goes. On a whim, I emailed one of the people on a website discussing the cemetery (Kevin from my acknowledgments page) who gave me first hand experience that I used in the book. He even offered to meet me at midnight and take me there, because if you go during the day, the caretaker supposedly comes out with a gun. (Yes, I used this detail in the book too.) The adventurous author person in me wanted to go, but the sensible, this-could-be-an-ax-murderer side of me said no way. I'm sure Kevin is very nice and I still might take him up on his offer, but I'll bring a small posse just to be on the safe side.

I combined these two real spooky locations into the Devil's Backbone, a location which plays a big part in the book. Something terrible has happened there and Arianna is determined to get to the bottom of it. And she does...

Happy Reading!
~Laurie

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition (February 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373776454
• ISBN-13: 978-0373776450
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laurie London is the author of the Sweetblood series and the Iron Portal series--dark, sexy paranormal romance.

ASSASSIN'S TOUCH, book 1 in the Iron Portal series: Just released

BONDED BY BLOOD, book 1 in the Sweetblood series: Available now
HIDDEN BY BLOOD, a short e-novella: Available now
EMBRACED BY BLOOD, book 2: Available now
A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS anthology "Enchanted By Blood" Available now
TEMPTED BY BLOOD, book 3: Available now
SEDUCED BY BLOOD, book 4: Available now

A graduate of Western Washington University and a former tester/programmer for a Fortune 500 company, Laurie London writes from her home near Seattle where she lives with her husband and two children.

For more, visit www.LaurieLondonBooks.com. She loves to talk with readers and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Strongest installement so far March 13, 2012

By Jen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Let me start by saying that this is my favorite story so far from the Sweetblood series. Its hero is Jackson, the hot man-whore vamp who played a support role as one of the Guardians in earlier stories. Known best for his sexual conquests and devil-may-care attitude, you'd never know there is more to him than meets the eye. But there is.

Jackson fears he is on the edge of reverting to the dangerous and violent ways of his ancestors. He needs to feed on blood and energy in staggering amounts and he can barely control himself at times. He hides his needs from those around him, cloaking them under his party-boy persona.

Arianna has believed in vampires since she saw them kill her mother as a child. But no one believed her. Now she anonymously runs a blog devoted to exposing the paranormal. Her cousin, who she is caring for, was among the sweetbloods kidnapped and almost auctioned away in the events of the last book. Jackson is now monitoring the girl's safety --and that is what puts him in Arianna's orbit. He ends up protecting her and her cousin from the persistent Darkblood threat and in the process, they end up falling for each other.

Women have always fallen at Jackson's feet, but I like the fact that nothing really happens between him and Arriana until she knows and cares for the man he is beneath his smooth exterior. I love that he is vulnerable and insecure. And she is so patient and understanding of his needs.

There is solid thread of danger that runs throughout, regarding the Darkbloods and their plans, but this book focuses more on the love story than anything else. It's one of the things I enjoyed so much about it. Oh yeah... and the sex was smokin-hot too. --Plus I liked the way that the couples from the previous books are woven into the story. It felt germane to what was happening... not like useless cameos.

Well done. 4 stars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Tempted by Blood really sinks its teeth into the reader and doesn't let go." June 24, 2012

By M. Nix

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Jackson Foss is a Guardian walking a fine line between sanity and self-destruction. It is Jackson's mission is to protect Sweetbloods, those with blood that attracts Darkblood vampires. Only lately Jackson is suffering more and more. He has to take energy and blood far too frequently. This leads him to believe that he may be turning into a revert. If that is true his days as a guardian and possibly on earth are numbered.

Arianna Wells watched something terrible happen to her mother when she was a child and no one believed her. She grew up believing there is something more out there and now she searches for the supernatural cataloguing it all on her blog, Paranormalish. Arianna's recent investigation into the disappearance of some missing teens puts her on the radar of not only the Guardians but the Darkbloods as well.

Jackson's routine check on Arianna's Sweetblood cousin saves them both from an attack but how long can he keep them safe from the Darkbloods and himself? The heat rises between Arianna and Jackson and it's impossible to deny. Can Arianna and Jackson save each other from the darkness that haunts them or will this be Jackson's final mission?

Laurie London continues her alluring Sweetblood series with the ravishing Tempted by Blood. Tempted by Blood is a bloody good bewitching novel! I'm in love with Jackson Foss! I'm a sucker for a good tortured hero and Jackson is sublime. His battle with his needs and wants is edgy and exciting. Arianna and Jackson turn Tempted by Blood into an emotionally satisfying and galvanizing great read. These characters build a beautiful relationship. I cannot get enough of these two. Whether they are fighting or making love they are outstanding!

Tempted by Blood really sinks its teeth into the reader and doesn't let go. The high stakes action and sweetly captivating romance draw the reader in with its magnetic pull. Jackson with his dragon blade is drop dead sexy as he fights Darkbloods and when he gives into Arianna's charms it is hot hot hot! Arianna is a formidable woman determined to protect her cousin while uncovering the truth about the things that go bump in the night. I like that Arianna doesn't shriek in the face of danger. She is a fighter through and through just like Jackson.

The plot line of Tempted by Blood is thrilling. From the spooky Devil's Backbone to the dark and scary dwelling where the climax of this stellar story takes place Tempted by Blood is filled with hauntingly realistic settings. I'm completely addicted to this series and its unforgettable characters. I couldn't wait to read Jackson's story and I was not disappointed. I love that during the story I got plenty of interaction with my favorites from the previous novels. There are some really great aww worthy moments. Like I've said before it's not necessary to read this series in order but I definitely recommend it. The countdown to Santiago's story begins now.

Reviewed by Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Tempted by Blood by Laurie London May 23, 2012

By A Bookworm's Haven VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been looking forward to this book since the first time we met Jackson! He really stood out for me in past novels and I relished the opportunity to be in his head. He is currently struggling with life because he fears her is reverting to the violent ways of his ancestors. He tries to play off his fear by letting others think he is a player, but really he is just getting energies from the women he meets and not much else. He battles control every day and worries that he is on the brink of becoming something truly terrifying.

Arianna is a human who lost her mother to vampires at a young age and has never forgotten what happened. She only saw shadows when the attack happened, but she is convinced there is something paranormal connected to the event. She has grown up believing in the paranormal and runs a blog feeding into these beliefs. She is also watching after her cousin, Krystal, who unbeknownst to her is a sweet-blood. Arianna meets Jackson when he comes in to save Krystal from some Darkbloods trying to capture her.

Since Jackson is used to women just falling at his feet, I liked that nothing really happened between him and Arianna for a while. Once they do finally get together it is hot, but I liked the slow build between them. I also adored how Jackson was trying so hard to make everything special for her and he did not want Arianna to feel like just another girl. He wanted things to be different with her. It was very sweet.

I also loved that we got to see characters from past books come into play here. Laurie wove them into the plot perfectly. Characters we have come to know and love came back as critical influences in the plot not just useless cameos. It was nice to see Laurie use their strengths to move the plot forward and aid Jackson and Arianna in their journey.

The threat of Darkblood is always running through the background, but the focus of the story really is on Jackson and Arianna, especially Jackson's journey to try and discover who he truly wants to be. I did like the danger that was there though and it did keep the story exciting. There were quite a few revelations about who is behind the Darkblood attacks and what they plan to do next and I will be interested to see that explored in future books.

Overall, this is another fantastic addition to this series. I was looking forward to this book for quite some time and it definitely delivered! I loved Jackson and watching him go from a lost soul to someone who had someone who appreciated him for who he was. I am looking forward to the next book with Santiago which is due out later this year!