Bond of Blood (Texas Vampires, Book 1) (Paperback)

by Diane Whiteside (Author)
Key Phrases: vampiro mayor, vampiro blood, other vampiros, Don Rafael, The Syrian, Madame Celeste (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
What do you get when you cross the Crusades, Texas, hot and steamy sex, and immortality? The first in a vampire romance trilogy by the master of erotic prose. The tale alternates between the present and the past as we come to know Rafael Perez, a powerful vampire who rules his territory with the help of his minions, and a pious crusader who unwillingly becomes a vampire. An old tormentor threatens his rule, and he and his bodyguards are on heightened alert. Enter Grania O'Malley, a young veterinarian who has dreamt for years of a knight and his family. She is very scientific and practical, but when she stumbles upon Rafael having a midnight "snack," she is more concerned about the victim than about the bizarre fact that she has just witnessed a vampire in action. Inexplicably drawn to each other, they enter a relationship whose roots are hundreds of years old. Rafael will need Grania's help in the coming battle in this incredible, sensuous story. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description
Vampire fiction with a twist-and a touch of Texas heat. First in an exciting new trilogy.

Former Spanish knight Don Raphael Perez has been a vampire for seven centuries, and is now the leader of the largest vampire territory in North America, spanning Texas and Oklahoma. But a rival is challenging his rule. Then he meets veterinarian Grania O'Malley, who's never felt the touch of a man. Raphael has sworn never to initiate a woman into the eternal pleasures of the flesh, but now it may be the only way to save her from his bloodthirsty adversary...

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Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425207749
• ISBN-13: 978-0425207741
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #263,302 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Sexy Vampire Read!, January 30, 2007

By	Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Don Rafael Perez has lived a lifetime...seven hundred years of a lifetime to be precise and during this time he has worked up from being a vampire slave to being the ruler of one of the largest "areas" in the United States. His rule has been absolute until now. Now his enemy is making a bid for his dominion and that would be enough to keep Rafael busy enough. But then Grania O'Malley enters the picture. Grania is a mortal but she is trouble with a capital "T." She has no idea that she shares a bond with a seven hundred year old vampire. Rafael doesn't trust what it between them yet he can't stay away even though it would be safer for Grania if he did. Can Rafael safe the woman destined to be his mate and still retain his rule in North America?

This is the first full length effort by Ms. Whiteside for her Texas Vampire series. There are going to be two more titles to follow. There is plenty of heat found between the pages between Rafe and his Grania. This is a very strong character driven romance with plenty of paranormal elements balancing out the read. Rafe is not you common everyday vampire and his sensuality is almost a character in an of itself. The reader will find that Ms. Whiteside's vampires are very unique and as a result fresh when compared to other authors in the hugely popular market. Grania is a perfect mate for Rafe. This is really a story about star-crossed lovers. I eagerly devoured this effort and anxiously await the rest of this series. Rafe and Grania will capture the reader's attention from the start. Be prepared for a heated and sexy read! Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No problem with language here!, December 30, 2006

By	C. Chambliss - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was my first venture into paranormal erotica/romance, and despite my busy schedule, I could not put this book down at night! I really liked the pychological twists with the good vs. bad vampires. Hey, haven't we all met our share of the bad vampires? And the thought of a noble vampire with paranormal sexual/romantic abilities sounds good to me! As for the complaints above of the foreign languange peppering, I liked it. I don't speak Spanish, but I can spot erotica and sweet-talk in any tongue, especially in obvious context. I do know a little basic Latin and enjoyed the characters from an era when Latin was the religous language actually using Latin, and it wasn't all that much or often to overlook for those who like their religion in English, even from a time when it was always in Latin. It was a learning experience, with all the levels of vampires. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific paranormal romantic suspense thriller, October 4, 2006

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For seven hundred plus years, Spanish knight Don Rafael Perez has been a vampire and now he leads the Texas Oklahoma chapter. Madame Celeste head of the New Orleans contingent warns Rafael to cooperate or her assassins will take care of business. He knows that means the evil Diego, a former agent of the Russians who wantonly kills and enjoys torture; Rafael knows that first hand. Now Rafael plans to destroy his foe, who murders anyone in his way as collateral damage is road kill to this malevolent person.

However, Rafael's world spins out of control when he meets Texas Hill Country Raptor Center veterinarian Grania O'Malley; his shock is less than hers as she recognizes him as the hunk that has starred in her lustful dreams. As they become acquainted and begin to fall in love the mortal animal doctor is stunned further when she realizes her beloved is a vampire, whose prowess thrives on sex; something she gladly offers him. Celeste and Diego know how to destroy their enemy as Rafael has an Achilles' heel, Dr. Grania O'Malley.

BOND OF BLOOD is an exhilarating heated vampire romantic suspense thriller that makes the world of the undead alive through the political power struggles. The action-packed story line stars two courageous ethical star-crossed lovers who know their heated chemistry is taboo. The villain is an evil killing machine who brings the non-sexual intrigue and tension to Diane Whiteside's terrific paranormal romantic suspense thriller.

Harriet Klausner