Review: I hated vampires but I love this series.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 5, 2013
I really don't like stories about vampires. I can't stand silly romances. Travis' books are so amazing, they restored my faith in the genre. He writes clearly and concisely, and his books are erotic wild rides that don't sacrifice plot or character for fun. Gritty, dark, sexy, and even funny, you have to read these. I'm going to quote my reviews of his four books:"You can probably tell where this is going from the title. Yes, this book has a lot of positive reviews. They are earned.Normally, my response to vampires is, "let me get my stake". This time, I was smitten with the honest tone--this book knows it's for fun's sake, and goes balls-out with its concepts. Throw in both the fantasy-fulfilling elements (beating up thugs, softening up a self-reliant and hardened pretty girl, being adored, etc) and surprisingly good character development, and you have a damn decent story. If you like your vampires vicious and bloody and your erotica with a plot, this is the book for you. Put down "50 Shades of Gray" and "Twilight"; this is the real deal--old school vampires, delectable details, and (finally) a relationship where the love interests are realistic.I will, for balance's sake, mention that some of the editing was off--verb tenses and the use of 'lie' instead of 'lay' or 'laid'. The other thing that bugged me was that some of the relationship issues, while realistic, were dealt with in a hurried manner, and exposition sometimes pops out of the corners. Still, none of that really slows down the pacing, and they certainly aren't dealbreakers. Do yourself a favour and grab it while it's hot!"--The Nightlife New York"Slicker, faster, harder, loaded with erotic content and action, this is less a book than a drug trip. I read it all in one sitting, and yes, vampire jello wrestling, orgies, south American drug lords, and vampires on heroin all happen. It is the quintessential Vegas experience, a - sexy fantasy. I only dock a point because I saw the end coming and because it was missing a little bit of the heart in the original. Still, this is a solid addition to the vampire literature canon and I strongly recommend buying it while it is hot!"--The Nightlife Las Vegas"I was a beta reader for this excellent novel, and I am so happy to see it up and ready to buy. The main story is very different from his previous two novels, something that worked in his favour (though I missed Michelle and Aaron) for expanding the universe. The sex scenes are great, the character development is really great, and the pace is tight. The author likes his hardboiled crime plots, but he handles them well, and they're a lot of fun to read. The morals are even greyer than previously, and this is the only time I've ever seen research about legal matters in a book put in with such flair and panache. The sex, of course, is great, but you can expect that from this author's writing. All in all, it's a solidly written contribution to the genre, with the delightful advantage of being written from a human perspective.The only critique I will offer is that sometimes the villainess was a bit flat, and the ending was a little rushed. It's worth mentioning, but chances are, it won't slow you down.Tired of vampires? Losing hope of finding anything other than watered-down, angsty teen crushes? Don't hesitate to drop the money for this book. You will thank yourself and breathe a sigh of relief as you settle into the blood-drenched, twisted story."--The Nightlife Bloodslave"I had the privilege of advance reading this and I am so stunned. Easily Luedke's finest work yet, and darkest, this reveals Michelle's heartbreaking backstory. I read it compulsively, gripped by the wrenching narrative. Without spoiling too much, this moves away from the delectable silliness and self indulgence in the first two books and into much richer terrain.Michelle is like France, loving and losing; it is a view of WW2 from a fantastical version of the French who suffered through the invasion. The only fault I can pick is its darkness, which may trouble some readers; however, Luedke's terse, tight prose and deft balance between eroticism and horror make it work.Move over, Anne Rice. Stephanie Meyer, escort yourself out. The real vampire writing talent has arrived." --The Nightlife Paris