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Vampire Assassin
The Awakening features a wolf-vampire hybrid on a journey to save his mate and who is accompanied in his quest by both allies and enemies. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea for Nathan comes from my Longing Mates series, which relates the love of a werewolf and a vampire and their efforts to bring peace between their two races. At the end of this series, the characters have a child, and thus Nathan was born. I immediately knew that he needed his own series. Obviously, the world has changed over the past centuries from when his parents lived. In addition to saving his mate, Nathan has so much more to do. One of his goals is also to claim back his throne and remove the current Queen, who chased him out of his kingdom. The Awakening is the second book of the Blood and Kisses series, which will have five books.
What draws you to the supernatural genre?
When I read a book or write, I want to get away from everyday life and stress. I need a book that will sweep me away to a world where people are more busy preventing a dark prophecy from happening and finding love at the same time than worrying about what to cook for supper and the chores that need to be done.
Do you have a favorite among your unique cast of characters? One that was especially fun to craft?
Nathan is my favorite character just because he cares about the woman he loves and is strong despite all his challenges. But Caleb, the vampire assassin, was especially fun to write. He is such a dark and morally grey character. He pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not.
What can readers expect in Book 3 of the Blood and Kisses series? Where will it take readers?
Book 3 of the Blood and Kisses series is called Dragons’ Rebirth. So obviously, you can expect dragons. It will take readers on a wild ride where the dragons, which were extinct, return. Nathan is on a quest to retrieve his mate, who was abducted. And Caleb is fleeing the furies of a Goddess.
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The woman Nathan loves has been taken from him, and now his wolf is restless. The half-vampire hybrid will tear the world apart to find her. But what he discovers is more than what he bargained for. Hurt and betrayed, he will face his legacy.
Caleb awakens as the goddess’s son and the instrument of her vengeance. How will he react when he meets a woman he can’t kill? The vampire assassin is soon faced with a choice for which nothing could have prepared him.
After discovering the truth about the birth of the elven race, Elaine must find a way to save their magic, even if it means bringing dragons back to life. But her path is strewn with pitfalls, and the king has been tainted by darkness.
In this tale of passion, lust, betrayal, and death, enemies ally as they share a common goal: to restore the draconic race.
The Awakening
Danielle Paquette-Harvey’s The Awakening is an epic blend of dark fantasy and supernatural romance, weaving a tale of fate, power struggles, and forbidden love. It follows multiple characters, werewolves, vampires, elves, and other mythical beings each navigating their destinies in a world teetering between chaos and order. At its heart, the story is about Nathan, a hybrid caught in an identity crisis, struggling with his dual nature as he embarks on a dangerous quest to save his fated mate, Emerald. Alongside him are allies and enemies, each with their own agendas, creating a rich and layered narrative filled with intrigue, action, and heartache.
The book hooked me right away with its intensity. The prologue, where Samantha watches the destruction of her city by a dragon, is breathtaking. The scene is painted with fire and blood, capturing a sense of loss and helplessness that sets the tone for the entire novel. The way Samantha feels disgusted by the looters but still finds herself entangled in the beast’s fate was one of my favorite moments. This is not a story where characters neatly fit into hero or villain roles; they are deeply flawed, sometimes selfish, sometimes noble, but always compelling. I appreciated how the author allowed them to make mistakes and struggle with their decisions rather than handing them easy victories.
Nathan, the brooding and tormented protagonist, is both frustrating and fascinating. His internal battle between his vampire and werewolf halves adds depth to his character, making him more than just another supernatural hero. His relentless search for Emerald is emotional, and his despair when he thinks he’s lost her is palpable. But what really got me was the contrast between his ferocity in battle and his vulnerability in his quiet moments, especially when he dreams of Emerald and wakes up aching for her. The romance doesn’t feel forced or overly sentimental, it’s raw, messy, and full of longing.
One of the standout aspects of The Awakening is its world-building. The different supernatural factions, the history behind their conflicts, and the magic system are all well thought out. I particularly liked the Shadow Weavers and their eerie presence throughout the book. The idea of secret cults and forbidden knowledge always pulls me in, and Paquette-Harvey handles it masterfully. There were moments when the exposition felt a little heavy-handed. I do feel that some sections, particularly those explaining spells and rituals, somewhat slowed the pacing. That said, the action scenes more than made up for it, fast, brutal, and cinematic, they kept me flipping pages late into the night.
The Awakening is perfect for readers who love dark fantasies with a strong romantic undercurrent, deep character conflicts, and an immersive world. This book thrives in the morally gray, and that’s what makes it so engaging. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next installment.
Pages: 442 | ASIN : B0D2WG6MX2
It Was So Fun To Write
Cursed King centers around a vampire-werewolf hybrid whose life spirals out of control when an assassination attempt thwarts his approaching wedding. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The Cursed King is the son of two characters from my previous series. Right when I finished writing the previous series, I knew what would happen to the vampire-werewolf hybrid. In fact, I have all his storyline planned for the whole series. As it happens in the same universe I had already built in my previous series, I already knew most of the elements that needed to be there. It was only a matter of placing everything together.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I knew the direction and tone that needed to be taken, and it came out organically as I was writing.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
My favorite scene in this story is the scene where Caleb enters the tavern to find his target, his first scene in the book. I had seen some baladi dancing shows and I knew I wanted to incorporate one somewhere in my book. Also, I think this scene shows Caleb’s personality perfectly, and it was so fun to write.
What can readers expect to see in book 2, and when will it be available?
In book 2, The Awakening, readers can expect to find out where Emerald is, discover more about the death of the dragons, a romantic journey for the elven mage Elaine, and of course a lot of betrayal, magic, and fighting. This book will showcase the awakening of more than just one character/creature.
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“Nothing mattered but the soft, tantalizing beat of the heart in this woman’s chest, which thrilled the beast inside me.”
A vampire assassin. . . bad, in all the best ways. A sexy half-vampire, half-werewolf King, elves, dragons, magic, and betrayal.
In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, a legendary prophecy unfolds, foretelling the rise of the cursed king. Born from an impossible love between a vampire and a werewolf, he possesses a power unrivaled by any creature that roams the night.
A cruel fate awaits the cursed king, Nathan, as his rule is forced into question after a series of unexplainable events. Confronted by enemies from all corners, the cursed king is thrust into a web of deceit, peril, and betrayal, far surpassing anything he had ever imagined. To reclaim his destiny and restore equilibrium to a world on the brink of ruin, he must confront the very essence of his own existence.
Caleb never misses a contract, even better when it’s a woman he can savor. The day his target slips through his fingers threatens to tarnish his reputation. The assassin will go to the ends of the earth to hunt and finish what he’s been hired to do.
Samantha comes from a respected line of noble vampires, but their fortune is secretly lost. Now betrothed to the cursed king, she hopes to restore her family’s name. However, her true motives remain shrouded in darkness as faith dictates her every move, for the gods have chosen her.
In this epic tale of forbidden love, dark prophecies, and insurmountable challenges, the cursed king must rise above his origins and find the strength to defy destiny. The world’s fate hangs in the balance as the cursed king confronts his true legacy.
Cursed King: A Vampire Dark Fantasy Romance
In Cursed King: A Vampire Dark Fantasy Romance, Danielle Paquette-Harvey invites readers into a turbulent realm where King Nathan, a vampire-werewolf hybrid, grapples with the complexities of royal duties and personal desires. As Nathan stands at the precipice of an arranged marriage, his inner turmoil intensifies, compounded by his wolf side’s silence. However, his nuptials are abruptly shattered by an assassination attempt, spiraling his life into chaos. With a kingdom teetering on the edge and an assassin lurking in the shadows, Nathan’s journey is one of survival and alliance-seeking amid a landscape indifferent or hostile to his plight.
Paquette-Harvey skillfully weaves a narrative brimming with intrigue and fantasy. King Nathan, emerges as a multi-dimensional character whose reputation belies a softer, romantically inclined nature. The cast extends to Caleb, a morally ambiguous assassin with a penchant for danger and desire, and Samantha, a cunning vampiress whose manipulative tendencies are as formidable as they are detestable. While Emerald serves as a compelling supporting character, her perspective remains a tantalizing mystery, perhaps to be explored in future installments.
The author’s strength lies in her ability to juggle a diverse ensemble of characters, each contributing their unique viewpoint to an intricately connected storyline. The narrative is further enriched by a vibrant tapestry of vampires, werewolves, elves, and humans, ensuring a varied and immersive experience. The plot, marked by its well-crafted cliffhangers, propels readers through a whirlwind of emotions and anticipations, culminating in a compelling urge to discover what lies ahead.
Cursed King: A Vampire Dark Fantasy Romance is a testament to Paquette-Harvey’s narrative finesse and imaginative world-building. It’s a story that lingers with the reader, sparking a keen interest in the unfolding saga. As the first book concludes with tantalizing hints of what’s to come, one thing is clear: the journey through this enthralling world is far from over.
Pages: 326 | ASIN : B0CCYWGL5D
LITERARY TITAN 