Hell to the Damned by Addison Avery

generate_image.phpTitle: Hell to the Damned

Series: Living Cold 01

Author: Addison Avery

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (86pgs)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand (26th June 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 ½ – 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Hell comes to the damned when two opposites are forced to come to terms with their fates and embrace the love they’re destined to share. Living cold in a mortal’s world, Felix Davidson knows he is doomed when he spends an intimate evening with Savannah’s notorious playboy, an immortal he finds impossible to refuse.

Colburn Cay lives an extravagant lifestyle. Wealth has afforded him certain privileges and the finer things in life, even invitations to the distinguished Felix Davidson’s birthday party.

After meeting Felix, Colburn keeps his distance, but soon he acknowledges his growing lust for the prominent host. While preposterous, Colburn’s interest in Felix runs deep. Colburn hopes his desire for the infamous prude will soon fizzle out, but as the flames ignite, Colburn realizes what he and Felix share is more than an impossible affair. Their inevitable attraction will carry them far beyond the pleasures of the night.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/hell-to-the-damned

Review: Colburn is one of only a small number of vampires who are ‘out’ in the mortal world, he has become the darling Savannah society and he revels in the playboy image he has worked so hard at. Felix is an upstanding member of society and he is very much in the vampire ‘closet’, he disdains those that flaunt themselves and has no need himself for one night stands. During a dinner party, that Felix’s sister has arranged the two meet and Felix is disturbed by the attraction he feels for Colburn, Colburn is equally dumbfounded but pursues Felix with an unquenchable thirst only to leave denying their mating.

This story was interesting, but very unfulfilling. While it was a very strong case of opposites attracting, it limped along with a fizzle rather than a bang. Colburn has slept his way through Savannah high society, both men and women, and loves his life. Colburn is invited to all the parties and is unsurprised when he is invited to Felix’s. But, he is surprised by his reaction to cold fish Felix. Felix doesn’t want to throw any parties, but his sister insists that he will never find his mate sitting at home reading. Meeting Colburn throws Felix, but rejecting the man’s advances would take more willpower than even he possesses. Especially, as the man is his mate. But having Colburn turn his back and leave, causes them both pain until Colburn accepts that running isn’t going to work.

While this has an interesting storyline and there was some hot sex, the story was lackluster and didn’t hold my attention even with one or two quirky characters. Felix is very much a stick in the mud and Colburn is very extravagant. Neither really thinks much of the other, until they meet face to face. Throw in a troublesome neighbor and we have some tension. Colburn swears he will accept their mating, but as soon as he is finished with Felix, he leaves and tries to fight the mating pull. Felix has no intention of chasing Colburn, but is relieved when Colburn comes back and they swear to always be together. Neither character really shines and the story is set over just a couple of days. There really wasn’t anything to grab your attention and keep a hold of it.

I would recommend this to those who love vampires, instant mating, hot sex and a touch of trouble.

 

House of the Doomed and Damned by Addison Avery

18169481Title: House of the Doomed and Damned

Series: Living Cold 02

Author: Addison Avery

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (89pgs)

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand (29th June 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 – 2 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Quarantine Valentine is looking for love, and he takes extraordinary measures as he hunts for the mate he can call his own, but when an old friend tells him he can’t rush love, Quarantine calls off the search. And the fated lover he desperately seeks walks right through his door.

Marvin Tesler suspects he is Quarantine Valentine’s mate and avoids any chance meetings. When he can’t stand the suspense any longer, Marvin goes to Quarantine’s house where he discovers a magnetic attraction to Savannah’s legendary vampire.

Drawn to the mortal in a way he could only imagine, Quarantine is determined to make a claim, but an unexpected event leaves Quarantine with an impossible decision. Marvin’s life is on the line, and Quarantine must act fast. Soon, Marvin is turned by fate and saved by love in a vampire claiming Savannah’s vampires won’t soon forget.

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/house-of-the-doomed-and-damned

Review: This story is part of a series and is best read in order. Quarantine has been searching for his mate and throws parties as a way to meet as many people as possible but he never meets the one and final puts a halt to the parties when he is advised that he is trying too hard. Marvin has suspected for some time that he is Quarantine’s mate but avoids him like the plague, when he finally decides to take a chance it proves that he is the vampires mate. Quarantine is happy to have finally found the one for him and is determined to make his claim, but an ex-lover is determined to claim Quarantine as his own and Marvin’s life hangs in the balance. Forced to take action Quarantine can only wait and pray that Marvin will forgive him.

We meet up with Quarantine as he ends things with his current lover, Toby, when he realizes that he wants to resume the hunt for his mate. Quarantine has been desperate to find his mate, that one person who will love him above all others, discovering his mate is Marvin, a man he has heard many rumors about, doesn’t faze Quarantine he just wants to claim his mate. Marvin hasn’t been keen on settling down so avoided Quarantine at all costs, now he has decided to face his fate and see if the vampire really is his mate.

This story has a great premise but the execution was poor. The storyline was pretty good but it fell flat with its characters, mainly because some of the characters in this book we met in the previous one and they had vastly changed personalities. The instant mates angle was good especially when they first met but then it went downhill when Quarantine’s ex-lover lost his marbles, it was sudden and came out of nowhere and was completely over the top. Marvin’s reaction was pretty realistic when he first comes around, but then he forgave them all pretty quickly. Quarantine and Marvin seemed to suit each other perfectly and they were hot together.

I recommend this if you love vampires, strange acting characters, insta-mates and insta-love, hot sex and a very hot ending.