Nicala, Cursed Blood
About
Nicala thought running a vampire massage parlor would give her a fresh start. With three wild, young-minded vampires on her staff and a growing list of human and vampire clients, she's learning what it takes to run a business 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 determined to control her future.
To save herself and the people she loves, she must master the power in her blood and choose who she will become: a weapon, a 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!
This one was really intriguing. Nicala running a massage parlor was a pretty different take, but it worked and I loved it. And I really loved what she was learning about Jin along the way. I loved how much is weaved throughout this story. Witches, vampires, and more. And this one digs deep into her hearing note about Jin. Filled with danger and chaos. This was a seriously intense read and I loved it. Can’t wait for the next one.
I really like the direction of Nicala's character. She's not simply trying to survive vampires or hunt humans—she's actually trying to create a life and run a business in a world where powerful people can manipulate almost everything around her. That gave the story a more interesting foundation than a straightforward vampire-versus-human plot.
The discovery that something powerful is connected to her blood adds another level of suspense. I enjoyed the idea of Nicala having to figure out whether she's being treated as a person, a weapon, or a pawn. The rich and powerful immortal characters also make the world feel much bigger than the small business where the story begins.
A Vampire Story With a Fresh Twist
What caught my attention about Nicala, Cursed Blood was the unusual setup. A vampire running a massage parlor is definitely not the kind of premise you come across every day, and I enjoyed seeing how that business became part of the larger supernatural world. Nicala feels like a character who is trying to build something for herself while constantly being pulled back into problems she never asked for.
The story gets much more intriguing once she starts uncovering the truth about Jin and the power hidden in her blood. I especially liked the combination of mystery, supernatural politics, and the question of whether Nicala will allow other people to decide what she becomes. It has plenty of potential for readers who enjoy vampire fiction with something different mixed into it.