Customer Reviews

Winning Virgin Blood [Winning Virgin 1]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
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Scotsman Orlando Spencer loses big in Vegas. Slinking home ashamed and remorseful, he finds his disappointed kinsmen have a surprise for him. To redeem himself, they actually want him to go back to Sin City and this time, win himself the ultimate prize - a virgin bride. This virgin, they sternly specify, must be a winner, willing to marry Orlando and relocate to the family's castle in Scotland. There is just one catch: she must be informed that Orlando and his family are vampires. Can the loser Orlando turn his luck around and win a virginal soul mate in Las Vegas, someone willing to love him for what he is?

In Winning Virgin Blood, the first book of her new Winning Virgin series, author Destiny Blaine introduces us to the rowdy, willful and `sexy as sin' Spencer clan. Although Orlando starts out more the love `em and leave `em type, fate has other plans for him. When he reluctantly returns to Las Vegas and meets the redheaded Natasha, he hits the jackpot when their chemistry is off the charts. I felt the sizzle just reading it! The lovely Natasha however, is no easily won prize. She requires some major convincing so the very determined Orlando pulls out all the stops when it comes to his personal brand of 'persuasion'. I think you'll find Winning Virgin Blood a very enjoyable and steamy read, with a highly likeable cast of characters. I personally cannot wait for the next installment of this series. Winning Virgin Blood is a `must read' and one for the keeper pile.

Winning Virgin Blood is definitely a testament of wills between the sexes. Ms. Blaine heats up the intensity of the story right out of the gate on this book. Orlando Spenser wayward son of an exclusive vampire dynasty has messed up big time by blowing a significant portion of the family fortune. As his "punishment" he is being forced to go back to the scene of his crime Las Vegas, and find his intended mate, with a few caveats of course. At first he was furious, but once the hunt began, there was no turning back from the driving force of destiny.

Almost immediately he meets Natasha the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately for him after she finds out he's a vampire and what his intentions are she digs in her heals in an effort to thwart his every attempt to win her heart.

What I enjoyed about this book is that Natasha didn't give in immediately to the demands of the arrogant Orlando. The lengths they both go through to get their way with one another is humorous, I found myself laughing out load at several points in the story. The story was well written, fast paced and a must read for anybody who wants a different spin on vampire romance this summer. I am really looking forward to the next books in the series.

Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Rachel

Natasha is in Vegas for a wedding when she first meets magnificent, arrogant Orlando Spenser, vampire, gambler, and womanizer extraordinaire. Orlando is on a mission to find his life mate, courtesy of the Elders. There are stipulations and criteria to choosing the right woman, and Natasha meets them all. Time is short. He needs to convince her that they're meant to be but with a woman like Natasha, it won't be that easy.

Anticipation is the best part of finding a new series to read. This story lived up to a few of my expectations. But first, I want to point out what didn't work. The biggest problem I had with it was awkward narrative and stilted, dated dialogue. Words should flow and conversations should ring true to the ear. Sometimes the phrasing was off and too wordy.

The character development was weak. Another factor was the lack of plot twists and surprises as the plot progressed. The vampires appeared more human than preternatural. Orlando and his brother are rakes, and aside from being rich pretty boys from a close knit family, there's little else. Natasha came off as obnoxious and annoying when I'm certain that the author meant for her to be spirited, independent, and assertive. I thought she was a foul mouthed spoiled brat, and there wasn't enough substance to help me empathize.

Winning Virgin Blood wasn't all negative, there were some positives. The kick off begins with a really good upheaval for Orlando and the consequences of his actions place him at the mercy of the vampire Elders. The idea of how the vampires choose their mates is intriguing and the Spenser family history is fascinating. Orlando's quest is an effective plot motivator. There was so much potential, and room to flesh out the characters. This story had all the hallmarks of transition and personal growth for Orlando and Natasha. It does happen but again, it's not smooth and there are too many holes and gaps to make it all work. Finally, there's a nice build up for the next installment featuring Almonzo, Orlando's brother.

After underlying the pros and cons of Winning Virgin Blood, I feel it's only fair that I read Winning Virgin Love, Book 2. The next round may produce a KO, and because this author put her heart into her work, I feel like giving it another go.

Patrice F.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Rather than write separate reviews of Destiny Blaine's Winning Virgin titles, this one is posted for all four of the author's paranormal (or urban fantasy) books. Giving Destiny Blaine's Winning Virgin a little praise with unbiased opinions:

The first two books, and this seems to be the general consensus, aren't as good as the last two. Surprised by some of the reviews, it's astonishing how many higher rated paranormals there are when this series (while somewhat slow to start) is very well written and intriguing. I'm a fan and not a competitor (which is often the case with `professional reviews' in romance) so there's only straight talk here, but this isn't a review full of compliments either.

Destiny Blaine allows Almonzo (hero in Winning Virgin Love) to use formal language in Winning Virgin Love and to an extent, the dialogue is a turn- off but Almonzo stands out as unique (and written well as an unusual character) making Almonzo tolerable. The second book is relevant. Winning Virgin Love leads the reader into the next two books in the series, Winning Virgin Lust and Winning Virgin Promises. I'd venture to say those who love paranormals lose out if they don't read Winning Virgin Promises. The latest earns a superior rating over many of the books it's been compared to.

Three of the four books are beautiful love stories leaving room for question about the credibility of some of the so-called professional review sites which haven't rated Winning Virgin Lust and Winning Virgin Promises four or five-stars across the board. Winning Virgin Promises, in particular, is flawless, interesting, and a remarkable paranormal book for those who love vampires. Readers are hard pressed to find a sexier vampire than Destiny Blaine's Gabriel Sabat.

I learned about this author while standing in a bookstore a few months back (looking at JR Ward's paranormal titles). Asking another reader about e-books and authors she'd recommend, Destiny Blaine was the first mentioned. I started with her romantic suspense books but was charmed by her vampires. Please tell me there's a book five in this series?