Series: Chicagoland Vampires (Page 1 of 2)

Here is my 4 star review for Midnight Marked...being back in Ethan and Merit's world was so exciting!  Be sure to also check out my interview with Ethan and the two giveaways below!

Midnight Marked (Chicagoland Vampires #12)
by Chloe Neill
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

As the Chicagoland Vampires series continues, Merit and Ethan find themselves in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, where winning may require the ultimate sacrifice...

A vampire’s grudges don’t stay dead long...

Merit is one of Chicago's most skilled vampire warriors; these days, she doesn't scare easily. But she and Master vampire Ethan have made a new and powerful enemy, and he won't give up until he owns the Windy City.

With his last plan thwarted, he's more determined than ever to watch Cadogan burn. Ethan has put the House's vampires on high alert, but their enemy will stop at nothing, including pitting vampire against vampire...

In this deadly game of cat-and-mouse, the stakes are life or death—and winning might mean sacrificing everything...

Review:

“We may fight again, Sentinel. We may rail at each other until the sun breaches the sky. But the truth is this. I love you. And I found you once, that April night. I will always look for you, and I will always find you.”

If you were to ask any one of my friends, they’d tell you just how much this series holds my heart. It’s not merely the genre or the author, but a deep-rooted connection to these characters. From book one on I’ve been an avid and invested fan-From the first eyebrow raise and swivel of a chair, Ethan stole my heart. It was insta-love at it’s finest…and oh boy do I hate insta-love. What a hypocrite I am.

Throughout the series there have been many ups and downs, in-betweens, and tremendous character growth. Ethan and Merit have been through it all-with and without each other. Stubborn and not to be trifled with, they make an intimidating team. But with each new book, there are many challenges to face, and though they are close to the end, it seems trouble still has a way of finding them.

“Do you remember, Sentinel, the first words you ever said to me?”
I grimaced. “No. But I bet they were rude.”

I’d be lying if I said this was my favorite installment….It would also be a gross overstatement to say I didn’t like it. Literally so much has happened to these two people, this house, and all their friends that it’s about that time where things start to get complicated and begin to circle to a close. I think I know where this author is leading….and I’m more than okay with it. And speaking of such things..

OH-EM-GEE. I just…I can’t….I mean…FINALLY. I am beyond words excited for a certain development that might have finally happened! For 12 books I have waited and waited and waited on a baited breath…to no avail. Ms. Neill is the tease of all teases, messing with my heart at each and every turn. Once again I found myself losing breath with every smoldering look, touch, and caress my boy gave Merit, and I became an unintelligible fangirl every time his name was mentioned. As one of my top guys, I will never forget this man…he just exceeds any and every expectation in each installment, putting himself in danger just to keep the girl he loves safe. I will NEVER get tired of my man putting his life on the line for his girl….he will always own me in ways I don’t even understand. Just…sighs all around.

He formed a box with his fingers. “I believe it has cars.”
I just shook my head. “How have you lived here so long without a ride on the Ferris Wheel?”
“I’m a vampire,” he said, as if that was the obvious explanation.
I just sighed.

So, you know, while I wish more things would have transpired (patient I am not), I was more than happy with the direction this story was going. I’m a greedy greedy Ethan whore, him being my only vampire book boyfriend, so is it really that bad that I wanted just a little MORE?? I mean, that’s hardly a crime. It says so much that I have stuck with this series through thick and thin, following this wonderful author on her journey to make Ethan and Merit’s lives as complicated as possible. I don’t read long series-AT ALL-so it really is a big deal I’ve come this far. Chloe Neill’s writing and hilarious banter between characters remains some of my favorite-ever-and now I cannot wait to see how the story concludes. I will miss my dear Ethan so so much….but if his starry eyed look for Merit in this installment is any indication, I know I’m in for a spectacular treat next year. I just hope I can wait. Ugh.

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Interview:

Chloe Neill has come up with a completely fun twist on the interviewing process, allowing access into the mind of the Head of Cadogan House himself-Ethan!!! Take a look at this …… 

1. When you saw Merit for the first time, what was the first thing that crossed your mind?

That she was lovely. And that she was destined for more than even she knew.

2. So, you’ve only ever had consorts…what made Merit different? What makes her so special?

She is entirely unlike any vampire I’d ever met before. So strong, so stubborn, and so very human. She has been a delightful challenge. An ally and an opponent in very unexpected ways.

3. You have been through Hell and back-of that we are all certain-But this makes me wonder…What is your greatest
fear?

I’ve no fondness for aspen stakes or sunlight. But the only thing I fear is the possibility of losing Merit. She has become the better half of me.

4. Throughout your very long life, you’ve lost a lot of people. I’m sure you miss them every day. If you could bring one
person back…who would it be?

My sisters. Even so many years in the past, I still miss them.

 

Words cannot express how much I love my Ethan and Merit (see any and all of my fangirly reviews for this series). They have stolen a large chunk of my heart and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get it back-or if I even want to. I am so excited to be hosting this wonderful blog tour centering on a wonderful set of characters that have a personality as big as, well, 12 books. If you haven’t gotten to try this series out, I suggest you pick up the first story, Some Girls Bite, where Ethan and Merit meet for the first time. Much love and thanks to Chloe Neill for letting our blog join this wonderful event. 🙂

 

Midnight Marked will be available on March 1st.

Preorder Here on any of these sites!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-A-Million | Kobo | Indiebound

Giveaways:

Us Star-Crossed Ladies are ecstatic to have a special little giveaway of our own, courtesy of Chloe Neill! Hurry and ENTER TO WIN!

The packet will include:

• Cadogan House mini-pennant
• Cadogan House tote bag
• Swag, including bookmarks, a pen, and a Cadogan House key chain

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Midnight Marked Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs February 11 through March 4 on Chloe’s web site.

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

• Engraved Cadogan House medal pendant
• Lou Malnati’s Tastes of Chicago package, featuring hot dogs, pizza, and cheesecake
• $25 Amazon gift card
• Tote bag containing Chicagoland Vampires and Devil’s Isle Swag

And here is a full list of all the other blogs participating on the tour:

Week One

Monday, February 22 – Booklovers for Life | Snoopy Doo’s Book Reviews
Tuesday, February 23 – Fallen for Books | The Book Whisperers
Wednesday, February 24 – Bad Bird Reads | Wild Wordy Women
Thursday, February 25 – StarCrossed Book Blog | Rantings of a Reading Addict
Friday, February 26 – BiblioJunkies | Love Laughter Foreverafter

Week Two

Monday, February 29 – Rabid Reads | The World of Francesca
Tuesday, March 1 (Release Day) – Goldilox and the Three Weres | Saucy Wenches |Literary Escapism | Vampire Book Club | YA Reads
Wednesday, March 2 – Consummate Reader
Thursday, March 3 – Urban Fantasy Investigations | Fangirls Read It First
Friday, March 4 – Paranormal Haven | My Paranormal Kink

Here is my review for this wonderful story...it might be the best in the series, yet!  Be sure to also check out my interview with Chloe Neill and the two giveaways below!

Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires #11)
by Chloe Neill
Add to: Goodreads

Review:

“If you touch her again, come near her again, I will tear you apart with my own bare hands, Master or not.”

There are so many things I love about this series. So many things I hold back after finishing a book because, really, how many times can you repeat all the same things you love about a consistently excellent series? I always do a mini-review, letting people know the main reasons I loved the story, and I hardly put all I truly feel into the review. Well, 7 mini-reviews later and I think it’s time I finally let all these built up emotions out-this book was excellent and people deserve to hear about it.

Ethan sighed. “It has nothing to do with pretty.”
“Not according to your brain,” I agreed. “But once again-”
Ethan held up a hand. “No need to repeat the point.”
“When I’m four hundred, do I get to date a twenty-five-year old?”
Ethan narrowed his gaze. “If you date anyone other than me at any point in your hopefully long and fruitful life, there will be trouble for both of us.”

I keep saying that these stories continue to get better, and it’s true, mostly, but there is something refreshing about a more sinister plot. Like, it’s known that when you pick up a Chicagoland Vampires book that there will be a mystery to solve, Ethan and Merit will have to conquer a new threat to their relationship, and there will be lots of love and snark exchanged between them. It’s a fact. It’s an inevitability. And I always get so excited to pick up the next new story. But this time there was something new. Sure, there’s always something new-But not like this.

Never has there been something that made me feel so icky about what could happen to Merit-or Ethan, for that matter. But when the return of an old figure from Ethan’s dark past reemerges, things begin to get….foggy. Merit’s defenses are down, Ethan isn’t (and can’t be) quick to save Merit, and no one can understand why, or how, this person is getting past their wards on the house. How does one protect another person’s mind? Is there even a way? And what happens when Ethan isn’t there to break the trance, and the next time he’s too late? What then?

There was nothing equivocal in his gaze, in the steadiness of his green eyes. “He was my nightmare, Merit. You are my miracle. He will not touch you again. Yes?”

Ethan, as always, was beyond words. He is so loyal to Merit and would do anything to keep her safe. And when Merit has a close run-in with this dangerous and mysterious enemy, it guts him that she recoils from his touch. She becomes withdrawn and so unlike herself, leaving everyone scrambling to keep the wards in place…even when there isn’t a break-anywhere in sight. It makes him moody, protective, possessive, and more than a little bit nervous (Waaaaiiittt, yeah, my bad he’s always like that-but, hey, it was a little more intense this time). Ethan likes to be in control, to be the alpha, to know he’s keeping the love of his life (and his house) safe. So, when bad things begin to surround his house, he’s more than unsettled.

“I like to think I’m more than the sum of my training.”
“You are,” Luc said. “There’s at least some hot beef or deep dish in there.”
“I am also more than Chicago foodstuffs.”
Ethan grinned at Luc. “Pumas? Diet Coke? Smart-assery?”
Luc snapped his fingers, pointed at Ethan. “Yes. And, like, three percent medieval literature.”
“You’re both hilarious. Really and truly. Comedy geniuses.”

And Merit. I adore this girl. She’s snarky, she’s funny, and she always has the best comebacks-I could be best friends with her. And, to top it all off, she can take care of herself. It’s not often you find a female lead with all the bells and whistles. But in this story, Merit feels violated, like she can’t defend herself even in her own home, in her own apartments, and with the man she loves sleeping right beside her. It’s a new kind of challenge for her and she spends the book doing everything she can to defend herself with no way of knowing what will work and when he’ll strike next….and what he’ll do to destroy the forever relationship she and Ethan have worked so hard to build.

Which was why Ethan returned to the apartments to find Mallory and me lying on the bed, television on, pooched stomachs taking a much needed breather.
“Oh, this is quite a sight,” Ethan said with obvious amusement, then spied the empty box of Mallocakes. “A vampire and sorceress done in by chocolate snack cakes.”
“Mallocake ‘splosion,” Mallory said weakly. “Pew, pew, pew.”
“I think there’s one left.” I moved just enough to skim fingers against the box, tip it up. “Yep. One. You can have it.”
“Wait,” Mallory said, and put a hand on my arm while she deliberated, as if there was a chance she might be able to squeeze in one more. “No.” She waved me off. “I can’t. Go ahead.”
“This scenario isn’t really selling the Mallocake concept to me,” Ethan said.
“We’re having girl time.”
“Not the girl time I prefer to imagine, but so be it.”
“Perv,” Mallory said with a grin, rolling off the bed and trundling toward the door. “I’m going to roll myself downstairs.”
“Take care,” Ethan said. “And thank you for the ward.”
She burped indelicately.
“And that’s our powerful sorceress,” Ethan said, locking the door behind her.

I think the reason I liked this story so much was because of how it all progressed. There was a lot more action and it mixed really well with the banter and strategizing. I am so picky when it comes to this and I couldn’t have been happier with how it was all handled. There wasn’t a moment when I was bored or rushing to get past anything-every moment was important and every moment mattered. It was fast-paced and the love scenes were electric. Every minute was a rush as we tried to catch whoever was behind the sinister threats and when they were trying to defend the house. And, as always, the humor helped get us through every single moment.

I looked up at him. “Are you wooing me?”
“I’ve been wooing you since the moment our eyes locked on the first floor of this house.”
I gave him a flat look. “No, that’s when you accused me of being spoiled.”
“Details,” he said lightly, mouth drawn into a crooked grin.

So, I know that I gush a lot about these characters, but they are very dear to me and I am fully invested in whatever may happen to them. I want nothing more than for the prophecy to come about and for happy things to occur regularly for Ethan and Merit. Their love is tangible and it leaps off every page-every look, every touch, every embrace-they were made for each other. I cannot wait to see where the rest of the stories go, because this series has my heart. If you haven’t tried, you need to go and start these books now. You won’t regret it!

 

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 Interview:

Very rarely do we get the opportunity as readers to get inside the mind of our favorite authors, but Chloe Neill has offered to answer a few questions for the blog tour! Take a peek at what she had to say:

 

1. Just as your books inspired other authors to write, what authors inspired you to write?

When I started writing, I’d been reading a lot of Rachel Caine, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, and Stephanie Laurens, among others. I really loved reading stories in series, because you got to know the characters, the setting, and the little inside jokes and references that really made the book feel like a comfortable place to rest.

2. Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Emotional upset?

Action scenes are definitely the hardest for me to write, so the last scene I usually write in the book is an action scene that I’ve put off. 🙂 It’s difficult for me to imagine a three-dimensional fight, and then translate that into words for the two-dimensional page.  Banter is the easiest thing–I can write characters chatting all day long. But it doesn’t make for a very interesting scene.

3. Which of your Chicagoland Vampire characters would you most like to spend extended amounts of time with?

Probably Merit. I think we’d get along very well.  Or Damien, because I think he has a lot of interesting stories to tell. 🙂

4. If you could cast Ethan and Merit in a Hollywood adaption of your books, who would you choose to play their
characters?

David Beckham isn’t an actor, but he’ll always be Ethan for me. I don’t really have a specific girl in mind who epitomizes Merit, so I’m certainly open to suggestions!

Thanks for having me today!

 

 

I am so honored here today to be able to represent one of the most hilarious, sexy, and addictive series I’ve ever read. Not often do I, or we as a blog, stick with such long series. But since the beginning, Ethan and Merit have stolen my heart and and I am so happy I came across this wonderfully delicious series. If you have never read these stories, that’s a shame. But if you’re even a little bit curious, pick up the first book in the series, Some Girls Bite, and I swear you’ll be enthralled from page one. Thanks so much, Courtney Neill!

 

Dark Debt will be available on March 3rd.

Preorder Here on any of these sites!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Powells | Books-A-Million | Audible |Kobo | Indiebound

 

Giveaways:

Us Star-Crossed Ladies are ecstatic to have a special little giveaway of our own, courtesy of Chloe Neill! Hurry and ENTER TO WIN!

Packet includes:

• Cadogan House cotton tote bag
• Cadogan House keychain
• An autographed international Chicagoland Vampires or Dark Elite novel
• Swag, including Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks and pens, and Cadogan House lanyards

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Dark Debt Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs February 23 through March 6 on Chloe’s web site.

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

• An engraved Cadogan House medal necklace
• A Kindle Paperwhite
• Cadogan House cotton tote bag
• Cadogan House keychian
• Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, and lanyard

 

And here is a full list of all the other blogs participating on the tour:

Week One

Monday, February 23 – Finding Sanity in Our Crazy Life | Lore Lush Books
Tuesday, February 24 – Star Crossed Book Blog | Little Miss Book Addict’s House of Books
Wednesday, February 25 – Once Upon a Twilight | Krista’s Dust Jacket
Thursday, February 26 – Goldilox and the Three Weres | Angel’s Guilty Pleasures
Friday, February 27 – Feeling Fictional | Rabid Reads

Week Two

Monday, March 2 – Booklovers for Life | Bad Bird Reads
Tuesday, March 3 (Release Day) – Saucy Wenches Book Club | Nomi’s Paranormal Palace | Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust | Vampire Book Club
Wednesday, March 4 – Ceres Book World | Book Infatuation Reviews 
Thursday, March 5 – Consummate Reader
Friday, March 6 – Little Read Riding Hood | Three Chicks After Dark