Passionate, sensual vampire - what more can I say? Love this story, hope to read more by this author!! Thank you for introducing me to this author via NetGalley!!

This was another Amanda Ashley book that U ciukd sink my teeth into. I loved the chemistry and connection inbthus novel and got lost in the passion and captuvating story. This was fantastic!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo!

Amazing as always! I love Amanda and her books just keep getting better and better!

3.5 helms

Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)

If you're looking for an easy, light vampire romance without heavy angst written in a style reminiscent of an older style romance novel, look no further!

"I see a man. He is old. Very old. He will come into your life in a moment of danger. He will watch over you and protect you.- The gypsy's hand gripped Tessa's tighter. -He will bring you death, - she whispered, her voice like the rustle of dry leaves. -And life."

Tessa and Jileen (her bestie from work) lead a quiet life in Cutter's Corner until vampires start flocking to their town in droves and attacking its citizens. One fateful night, Andrei Dinescu saves Tessa from a vicious vampire attack and the two are immediately drawn to each other. Unknown to Tessa, Andrei is a seven-hundred-year-old vampire and she is the reason fledgling vampires are flocking to her town. A gypsy who foretold Tessa's fortune in the past has spread a rumour that Tessa's blood will strengthen fledgling vampires and hence the sudden increase in the young vampire population at Cutter's Corner. Andrei and Tessa start falling for each other as they start spending more time with one another, but Andrei has his own deep dark secret. Can Tessa overcome this shattering hurdle and take their relationship to the next level?

The storyline is simple and yet has a pull to keep you reading. The characters were not the strongest or most memorable but they definitely weren't boring. What I didn't understand was why the gypsy felt the need to spread the rumour after predicting Tessa's future? Also it was never explained HOW she knew this tidbit of information. There was no closure on this at all....it was definitely a small rip in the plot! I don't feel like I wasted my time with this book as it was a satisfying read....this novel firmly stays at its 3.5 helms rating for me.

*Thank-you Amanda Ashley, Netgalley & Zebra Kensington Books for the ARC.

To be honest the beginning reminded me a little of True Blood, which is not bad because I liked True Blood. But that was just the very beginning with Vampires coming out of the coffin and such. Though Andrei did also remind me a little of Bill. You know the “nice’ vampire wanting to protect the poor innocent human.

I must say I was not a huge fan of Andrei and his behavior. I really didn’t care for that he just kept the lie up and even later when it all came to light. I just never could really trust him anymore and was just waiting to see what else he is lying about.

I however did enjoy Tessa. She was likeable and seemed real. She was also funny and fast thinking and give up.

There was a rather big cast of side characters, which where a big part of the story and way more than side characters.

The overall story was enjoyable. Though some parts were very predictable and sometimes it just seemed very long and had some page fillers. A little shorter book would not have been a bad idea in this case. But as mentioned overall I enjoyed the book.

I rate it at 3 ★

Ashley was one of the first paranormal writers that I read when starting my love of Paranormal Romance eons ago. This was a fun, though not quick read at 400 pages. It reminded me of why I keep going back to this genre and author. They never let you down and keep you entertained over several days. Another solid book by Amanda Ashley.

I enjoy vampire story and this one is a good start if you are not fan with the blood sucker.

It started with a prediction and then Tessa's blood is different from any human. It said that it can make a powerful vampire and just like that, Andrei became curious and interested with her. Entering Katerina in the picture was quite bloody and violent. Adding Bailey and other shapeshifters seem to be something to look forward to Miss Amanda Ashley's next novel.

I enjoyed this novel and I like to have someone like Andrei (not the vampire thingy), yet I still had an unanswered question in my mind like: who was the one started spreading about Tessa's blood? Did the gypsy really die in a natural way or a vampire killed her?

Excellent story line !!! ☆☆☆☆☆ rating. Looking forward to read more books from this author.

A FIRE IN THE BLOOD by Amanda Ashley is a standalone paranormal romance novel, so it's ideal for readers who may not be familiar with this author. This book is classic Amanda Ashley -- tall, dark, enigmatic stranger with fangs, and a heroine who faces the choice to either embrace immortality or enjoy her immortal lover for a brief time before she dies a human death. Andrei Dinescu is an example of the kind of well-crafted, broody vampire hero Amanda Ashley has been creating before Buffy's Angel graced the small screen, and Stephanie Meyer's Edward set hearts aflame on the big screen. As a fan who has enjoyed Amanda Ashley's recent books that were part of a series, I enjoy this change of pace. Tessa Blackburn is the girl- next-door, working in a bank with her BFF, and completely unaware of the danger headed her way.

Unbeknownst to Tessa, vampires are flocking to her in droves over tales that her blood is like ambrosia for young vampires, and will increase their strength. Enter sinfully sexy vampire Andrei, his evil vampire wife Katerina, and good guy vampire hunter Luke. A FIRE IN THE BLOOD is a fairly straightforward tale of good versus evil with one or two paranormal twists. Andrei intrigued me from the beginning because he initially struck me as being a little bit morally ambiguous, and I was unable to guess his next move. Andrei's vengeful ex Katerina makes a convincing villainess and is a wonderful contrast to the strong heroic female characters in A FIRE IN THE BLOOD. I think Tessa differs from some of Amanda Ashley's previous human heroines because, although Andrei's vampire nature initially creeps her out, she is quick to see the bigger picture and be pragmatic about her situation.

A FIRE IN THE BLOOD is an exciting vampire romance with a slew of fascinating paranormal characters -- the good, the bad, and the unequivocally evil. There is a fair amount of excitement and suspense in A FIRE IN THE BLOOD, but the romance remains paramount. Amanda Ashley builds the sexual tension between Tessa and Andrei as the story progresses. There are several weddings in A FIRE IN THE BLOOD -- ranging from the sweet, the unusual yet poignant, and the bloody. Shape-shifters make appearance in A FIRE IN THE BLOOD, and I'd love to see more Amanda Ashley stories with these types of characters.

I started A Fire In The Blood thinking I’d be getting a dark and gritty vampire tale, alas, I got a predictable and slow story. Instead of grit, the book had a young adult feel to it which was a huge disappointment.

I was all geared up for a yummy alpha vampire, but Andrei was disappointedly bland. In fact, if he hadn’t killed more than a few fledglings throughout the story, I would have wondered how on earth he had survived for as long as he had. Don’t even get me started on how he handled his ex-wife. I lost count of how many ways he could have just got rid of the crazy woman.

Tessa was incredibly naïve, and her continued doubts toward Andrei well into the story got on my last nerve. As for why her blood called out to vampires, anyone who has read lots of paranormal/fantasy books would have at least partially figured out the mystery right off. Why the vampires hadn’t thought of doing a little research was beyond me.

I never quite believed in the connection between Andrei and Tessa other than her blood called to him. It felt like more of a chemistry thing, so his quick jump to love just didn’t work for me. She was too mistrustful of it to ever convince me of her feelings. Making matters worse was after they finally get together, it wasn’t quite a fade to black moment but it wasn’t anything to get excited about either.

There were two other little love stories rolled up with this one. Jilly and Luke, Tessa’s best friend and a vampire hunter were the first to get together. Jilly was annoying but I liked Luke and wish we’d had an explanation for his gift at finding vampires. I am kind of sad he got saddled with Jilly.

Bailey and Tristan were the second couple and these two deserved their own book, but they needed to come together after Bailey was of age to actually do those things. Bailey’s history also had more than a few WTF moments, and how the sexual abuse aspect of her history was handled had me wanting to throw my iPad. It felt like it was just thrown in there for shock value and was mostly just swept under the rug. In fact, we are supposed to believe they scared the abuser into never touching his charges again (because that’s really going to work…NOT!) but other than that, nothing was done.

I kept hoping the book would turn the corner so I soldiered on instead of throwing in the towel (which in retrospect would have been a better choice). In the end, Fire in The Blood was a disappointment that didn’t work at all for me.

Rating: 2 Vampires Should Never Be Bland Stars

This book was a nice spin on your typical vampire love story. It had fortune tellers, vampires, shifters, and magic.

Tessa’s town is being taken over by vampires. It happens so suddenly that nobody is quite sure what to make of it. With the vampires comes the hunters, and now there are rewards being posted for turning in proof. Andrei has been picking off the intruding vampires to protect the innocent, but he begins to notice that they seem to be swarming one particular woman. There is also a rumor going around the vampires about a woman with blood that gives fledgling vampires more power and strength. Wrap all of these things up and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Andrei has no choice but to protect Tessa, even though he’s a master vampire himself.

These two really light up the page when they meet. The chemistry is palpable, made more so by the fact that Andrei always appears to be saving Tessa from some bad guy. Things might have been a little simpler if Andrea’s maker and general evil-doer doesn’t show up. Oh, and she’s also still married to him. Surprise! We somehow still eke out a HEA for these two, complete with some fantastic supernatural help.

Dark but comical, I enjoyed the snark and fast paced plot.

I'm sorry but I couldn't get into this book. I normally love Amanda Ashley's books but this one not so much.

Gradually stories of people drained of their blood and people disappearing was getting closer to Cutter’s Corner. The citizens began to pay attention to the news. Tessa worked in a bank and her coworker Jileen and friend had started the same day Tessa did, Tessa worked in the loan department and Jileen was a teller. Speculation was appearing in local blogs, on Facebook and Twitter. Then a bold reporter said Cutter’s Corner had a vampire problem. But Vampires were a myth everyone knew that. Tessa had moved to town three years ago and Mrs Kowalski had been the first person Tessa had met. Now Mrs Kowalski was the latest victim. According to the paper. Lately Tessa had the eerie feeling she was being watched. The vampire paused outside the woman’s house . there was word going around that a woman in Cutter’s Corner whose blood made new vampires stronger. It had been heard from a gypsy fortune teller the same woman Tessa had went with her cousin to see so many years ago. There had been five mysterious death in as many months in Cutter’s corner. A Vampire had went after Tessa but a man in black had killed him. When Tessa asked who he was he said he was a concerned citizen. Andrei was hovered outside Tessa’s window eavesdropping as Tessa calmly and slowly told the police what had happened. Andrei wondered what was there that attracted vampires from all over the country to his city Without his intervention several times she would have been dead weeks ago. When Tessa went to work Monday she told Jillian what happened then Andrei showed up at the bank and asked if she was ok and introduced himself. Then Andrei asked Tessa to go out with him Friday night. Tessa said she didn’t really want to go out at night so they settled for a movie at two in the afternoon The smell of Tessa’s blood lingered in Andrei’s nose. Never in his seven hundred years had Andrei smelled anything like it. The Crypt - a club- a goth hang out that drew those who was fascinated by the undead or death itself. There was where Andrei headed Tessa felt drawn to Andrei and he had saved her life. But it does come out she is a vampire when Jileen and her hunter boyfriend Luke go on a double date with Tessa and Andrei. But the did all promise to keep Andrei’s secret. Tessa wants some time to think all this over . But she does miss Andrei and she was happy when he showed up again.
I loved this story I could find nothing to criticize in any way and I was happy about that. The plot was great, the writing was great and the pace was just right. Then we meet Bailey who I also loved. I loved how Bailey stood up to her foster father and told him if he ever hurt or touched another foster child she would be back.. I also loved Tristan and how he is willing to teach Bailey the were shifters way. . I loved how Tessa and Andrei were together as well as Jileen and Luke as well as Bailey and Tristan. All fit together and each had their . romance. I just loved this story and all it said. It was an easy read. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I highly recommend.

DNF - oh my. I was really looking forward to this one. I was browsing NetGalley and was in the mood for a serious paranormal romance....well any paranormal romance would work. This was anything but serious. Oh, it tried to make you feel the terror of being hunted, but it did it with a campy feeling that just didn't fulfill the urgings. I just felt kind of lost.

So people know there are vampires, but not much really about them. Vampire hunters are popping up and it's a career move a lot of people are embracing. When Tessa was a teenager a fortune teller said someone old would save her and bring her death and life. Now years later the vampires are after her because supposedly her blood will give them more powers. So the old guy? He's a vampire who has been keeping her safe, but now wants to know why vampires want her so bad.

What was the my final breaking point? Andrei, the vampire, is also married. Yeah, she is a psycho bitch and they have been separated for a long time, it just didn't sit well with me. She's back and making Tessa's life a little more Hellish. So I gave up. I wasn't interested. The chemistry was really lacking and the characters just weren't interesting.

3.5 Stars
'A Fire in the Blood' by Amanda Ashley is the story of Andrei and Tessa.
Andrei is wondering why vampires are trying to attack Tessa. Andrei unknown to Tessa at first has saved her a few times. Andrei moves forward to meet her and find out what is going on with Tessa. This leads Andrei to be drawn to her too. Tessa friend when she was younger talked her into seeing a fortune teller who predicted that Tessa would meet a man that would kill and save her. Is that mane turning out to be Andrei? Also Andrei has a big secret too...will Tessa get past that?
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

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I see a man. He is old. Very old. He will come into your life in a moment of danger. He will watch over you and protect you.- The gypsy's hand gripped Tessa's tighter. -He will bring you death, - she whispered, her voice like the rustle of dry leaves. -And life.-
Ten years later, when Andrei Dinescu saves Tessa from a vicious attacker, she has no idea that the handsome stranger the gypsy fortune teller predicted is not a hunter but a seven-hundred-year-old vampire. Darkly powerful, unbelievably compelling, he is obviously pursuing Tessa, but is it her love he's after or her blood?




Review:




The thing I liked most about the story/premise was that Tessa's blood could kill a vampire or enhance one depending on whether it was given freely. I think if that was played up a bit more it would have helped. Don't get me wrong it was major to the story, but it seems forgotten at some points. This book almost felt like it was three couples stories instead of just Tessa and Andrei's. I really liked everyone else, but the book was long and dragged in some spots. Plus I think Bailey and Tristan really deserve their own story. As for Tessa and Andrei, they are sweet, but there is no real heat until the last quarter of the book.




I think I am coming off as hating the book and I totally did not hate it. I have not read all of her works, but this would not be my favorite of the ones I have read. I will definitely keep reading her.




3.5Stars




*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

Review: A FIRE IN THE BLOOD by Amanda Ashley http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-8wI
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 3.5 Stars

This was a fun light romp through a dangerous vampire world. Tessa handled her new reality quite easily, but with the handsome vampire Andrea…how could you not. That being said, she sometimes took the new information too easily. The love and romance are there, but light on the sexual aspects. Perfect for those who like their romances less explicit. A fun quick read.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Vampire Andrei stumbles across fledgling Vampires attacking Tessa and he's almost immediately attracted to her but there's something about Tessa's heritage and particularly her blood that's drawing Vampires to Cutters Corner. People are dying and all because of a Gypsy who ten years ago met Tessa. I'm really unsure how or why this rumour is spreading but it leaves Tessa in a very vulnerable position indeed. Their romance progresses but Andrei has a secret and it's a whopper as his Maker is still alive and it just happens to be his wife! Cue much bloodshed and mayhem when the crazy ex wife finds out what's happening!
I discovered this author several years so and enjoy her Vampire romances . This book though unfortunately kind of stumped me initially and I nearly gave up but I'm glad I persevered .Not exactly a dark heated romance story but more a sweet one that unfortunately had almost instant love that personally isn't my preferred trope. Now that comment aside this story actually has all the elements I enjoy yet it's the overall story arc and assorted characters that really kept me reading. Yes we get not one but three relationships forming here and those supporting characters brought the depth that I initially found lacking.
I did say there's a sweetness to this and it centres around Tessa. Actually she's hard to describe, loyal, full of empathy for others and yet I didn't truly understand her. I applauded the author for giving us a heroine with strong morals but to my mind Tessa just didn't seem to be the strongest character . Andrei funnily enough I found easier to understand and I have to commend his patience !
My final thoughts are perhaps I'm jaded and this book would suit someone younger and still idealistic. Definitely not for those who seek dark pulsating romance stories but nevertheless an interesting paranormal story with a satisfying end.
This book was provided for me with no requirement to review. I voluntarily read this and my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well this was actually a good story but at 400 pages it was a bit bloated.

Tessa and Andrei were a bit of a frustrating couple at times, a bit overly romantic at times but overall they worked as a good couple and probably close to realistic as could be done. The 3 main secondary characters were filled out pretty nicely which is always a plus, the "villain" was a bit over the top evil but for this story it played well.

You ever had a book you really liked but you reached a point where you kinda knew what was coming in general but were tired of reading the "I love you" over and over? This is that book, great story, great characters, a total nutjob ex-wife villain. Whats not to love .

So 4 Stars and Highly recommended and if you are like me you might do some minor scanning in the middle.