Nicala, Cursed Blood
About
Nicala thought running a vampire massage parlor would be a fresh start. With three wild, young-minded vampires on her staff and a growing list of human and vampire clients, she’s learning the hard way what it takes to be both boss and business owner in a world that doesn’t play fair with her kind.
But when she starts digging into the past of her maker, Jin, she uncovers more than old secrets—she discovers a power sleeping in her blood, and someone ancient and powerful waiting for her...
Thrust into the world of the rich and powerful, Nicala must navigate deception, politics, and an immortal elite who think they own her future.
To save herself and the people she loves, she must master the power in her blood and choose, finally, who she is, a weapon, pawn, or something far more dangerous...
Praise for this book
I really liked the world you built here. While there is “vampire conflict” the characters are not interesting because ‘they are vampires” – they’re interesting because they are relatable. Additionally, the vampirism causes problems, not solves them – so it’s not like a character can just “do the vampire thing” and solve their problem. This crafts a world that leads to fun characters, engaging conflicts, and interesting fight and sex scenes. Well done!
If you're looking for a damsel in distress, it ain't her. Nicala doesn't ask for trouble; it finds her. I loved the second installment in the Nicala series on two fronts:
One: It’s fantasy, it's fiction, but it's relatable. Not everyone sees power as a "gift", and it's refreshing to read a character that doesn't want to conform. Nicala is not some helpless pushover, she's a fighter.
Two: It’s fun. Even in heavy moments, there's comedy relief, fun interactions between characters, and the spicy moments are hot, but tasteful. I may or may not have a crush on the main character...
The ascent and the climax had me staying up way past my bedtime, locked in and page turning until the end, complete with visceral reactions to certain events. The payoff was fantastic.
Now I just need the third book to happen because I am all the way IN!