GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Book Review: Haven (Tranquilli Bloodline Series Book 1) by Celia Breslin + giveaway | I Smell Sheep

Monday, October 26, 2020

Book Review: Haven (Tranquilli Bloodline Series Book 1) by Celia Breslin + giveaway

Haven (Tranquilli Bloodline Series Book 1) 
by Celia Breslin
September 23, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
San Francisco nightclub owner Carina Tranquilli works hard, plays hard, and never allows the death of her parents and her twelve-year memory gap to get her down. Her life takes a left turn when a witch attacks her on her twenty-fifth birthday.

Three hauntingly familiar vampires emerge to reveal she possesses a latent power. To protect her from their enemies, they admit to wiping her memories and abandoning her as a child, but now they need her help. As she struggles to evade her new protectors, and even newer enemies, she meets Alexander, an enigmatic, undead musician. Insta-attraction flares, leaving her wanting more.

With evil’s minions hounding her every move, and everything she thought she knew turned on its head, Carina must harness her burgeoning power, unravel her vampire family’s web of deceit, and fight to keep the love of her life...without getting killed in the process.

**Only 99 cents on Amazon!!** 

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" or something along those lines. This would be the best way I can explain my reading experience of this book. While this is more thoughts than a review, I recommend reading what other people thought of this story before you proceed.

I really had to struggle through this one because I liked the overall writing style of the author. I kept thinking "just hang in there Katie!" which is not fun when you're reading a PNR. The action was hard-hitting and fast, which helps to make up for the lackluster characters and their development. Or lack of development might fit better. I've watched enough Xena and Buffy to know when an author is pulling from those leading ladies and that vibe comes right off the page with this one. But whereas those two ladies have a ton of depth and soul, you don't really get that with this go around. Sadly.

Alexander felt very paint by numbers to me. He never really took off in my mind and that made me care less about what happened to him and then to our couple. I wanted to root for the home team here but never left the snack shack with my overpriced tasty treats. (Now I want some stadium food!) Overall, this one left me wanting more on many different levels. Unsatisfied would be the best word to sum it up, but again, I hope everyone checks around before making a decision.

NO RATING
KD

Haven Excerpt: 
Turn around.

I froze, my moment of weakness chased away by a jolt of adrenaline. I resisted Adrian’s pull. “Did you hear that?” 

“Hear what?” 

Silence. 

“Nothing, I guess.” A wave of energy rolled into me, curled itself possessively around my body, and gave me one hell of a head rush. “Oh, wow.” I bit my lip, bracing against reaction. 

Adrian tightened his grip on my waist. “Rina?” 

Mark and Ren stalked over, faces grim. 

“Did—? Do you—?” My mouth was so dry I could barely speak. “Do you guys feel that?” 

Adrian squeezed, capturing my wandering attention, concern etched in the stern set of his jaw. “Feel what? What’s wrong?” 

I started to tell them the Invisible Man hugged me against an electrified fence, but a second wave of energy bowled into me, making me tingle from head to toe. The sensation walked the line between pleasure and pain. A moan escaped me. 

Mark took me from Adrian. “That’s it. We’re out of here.” He tried to pick me up, but I shook my head. Bad idea. Dizziness took the hall, and me, for a little spin. 

Turn around. Turn. Around. 

Was it a voice or instinct urging me on? Either way, the desire proved irresistible. I pulled away from Mark, pivoted, and forgot how to breathe. 

The electric energy pulled back. The dizziness abated. All extraneous noise and people drained out of my perception until there was only Him. 

Tall, fit, and bad-boy handsome with skin like pale honey, his thick, walnut brown hair hung tousled in a sexy, I-just-got-out-of-bed way. A hip, black, button-down shirt accentuated a sculpted upper body before it tucked into slacks painted on long, lean legs. The whole package made my mouth water. 

Hot. Yummy. Totally my type. 

“Who are you?” I whispered. 

His mouth twitched in a hint of a smile as if he heard me—impossible given the distance between us. Heat spread, loosening my muscles, and my pulse sped up. Nerves. What’s wrong with me? Guys never made me nervous, not even gorgeous ones. 

I nibbled my lower lip, mind racing to make sense of my reaction. His gaze tracked the movement and then slid back up. The heat from his stare hit me full force, driving a shaft of need through me. Energy rocked me again, a warm, electric breeze bathing my skin. My eyes widened in comprehension. The energy came from him.

About the Author
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Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, and the Fae. Her stories are action-packed and typically include one of the many varieties of romantic entanglements: fated mates, second chance, rescue romance, opposites attract, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and more.

When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies, as well as everything in the Marvel Universe franchise. Of course!

Giveaway 
$25 Amazon 
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! 

3 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon and Team! Thanks for hosting my vampires on your blog! KD, thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts on Haven. Carina comes into her own in books 2 and 3, in case you want to see how it all turns out for her and Team Good. :-)

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  2. Sounds like Carina has got her work cut out for her. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Victoria, Thanks for visiting the tour. Carina does indeed face many challenges over the course of the trilogy. Happy Halloween! :)

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