I loved the ending. And I'm glad it happened for scarlet. I hoped from the moment Scarlet said that no Nulls had ever been together, that she had gotten pregnant. Can't wait for the next book..

Melissa F Olson has dealt readers a winning hand with her newest novel, Blood Gamble. In this case, both the house and the gambler (the reader) will be happy with the results. Blood Gamble is a taught urban fantasy that once more demonstrates that Olson is not your average writer and that she has plenty of surprises in store for Scarlett Bernard and her fans.

As a favor to Dashiell, Scarlett heads to Vegas - the last place she wants to go. Her cover is attending a bridal party for her sister-in-law, but her real task is to discover what is going on with the Bellagio’s newest show - a vampire extravaganza created by none other than Lucy and Arthur Holmwood, a pair of vampire celebrities who played an important role in Stoker’s masterpiece. Needless to say there is trouble brewing in Vegas, on multiple fronts. Vampires are disappearing and there are rumors of hunters being active in Vegas. Jameson, the null from New York is in Vegas and someone is trying to kill him.

It’s an exciting ride with a very dramatic showdown at the end. I missed Shadow, Scarlett’s barghest who only had a small role, as well as Scarlett’s other friends who stayed back in LA. Scarlett and Jameson have real chemistry. But I will say the ending was quite a surprise. I can't wait to see what the next novel in the series has in store.

5 / 5

I received a copy of Blood Gamble from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

I have loved this series since I read the first one in the first series a few years ago. I was so glad when Ms. Olson came back to Scarlett in this new series. Here we are at the second (or fifth if you count from the first series), and I am still in love with series. Ms. Olson really draws in the reader with her great writing, great action, and great characters. I never wanted to put the book down and loved it from start to finish. However, I do have to mention a couple flies in the ointment in this installment. First, I’ll talk about Jameson. I didn’t like him from the beginning and was not happy he became a love interest. Even though Scarlett is young and acts young, I still find her “older” than him. I just didn’t buy it, the insta-love, or Scarlett defending him, although we all make dumb decisions from time to time. (I have to be a little vague with these points because I don’t want to give away spoilers.) And, I do understand why (OMG, the ending!) it happened, but I still don’t quite buy it. And, second, the ending. I am mostly withholding my judgement on that until the next book. I want to see how things shake out before I give final judgement because it could be very good plot development. Please don’t think these ruined the book because they didn’t. I still very much enjoyed the book and the wild ride it gave me, and that is all I ask for. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and 47North for the e-copy of the book which I voluntarily reviewed.

Blood Gamble is the second installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Disrupted Magic series. However, it is also book # 5 in the Scarlett Bernard series, and book # 11 in what's being called the Old World Chronicles. Scarlett Bernard is a null who negates all the magic withing a certain radius. She has the ability to extend, and withdrawal that radius which makes her rather unique. Scarlett works for Dashiell, the Cardinal of Los Angeles, cleaning up supernatural problems and keeping the Old World from being discovered by humans. 

Dashiell's latest job for Scarlett is something she would have avoided at all costs. But, after being blackmailed in the most cunning way possible, Scarlett finds herself in Las Vegas. Scarlett doesn't have any fond memories of Vegas. In fact, it has been 8 years since she was last there, and if she has her way, it will be a cold day in hell before she returns again. But, with a new vampire themed show called Demeter opening, and the owners being legendary vampires Arthur and Lucy Holmwood straight out of Dracula, Scarlett finds herself investigating the strange disappearances of several dozen vampires. 

As it is Scarlett's job to keep the Old World from being exposed to humans, Scarlett must get to the bottom of what is happening quickly, while also not letting humans know what is happening. One of the more cunning aspects of this story is the revelation of the villains and why they are doing what they are doing. The fact that Scarlett has no allies since her bargest Shadow can't leave LA County, and Jessie Cruz is picking up her slack, makes this story that more focused on Scarlett and her actions in using what she has at hand to discover the truth and return home alive.

This is a book that I had to read to the very end, and then the author's notes to understand what she is trying to do & why she is taking the chance she did with the shocking ending she leaves readers with. (yes, I realize that is vague) Author states that she has seen this particular issue coming since Dead Spots. One could say that Olson jumps the shark with this story, which I realize she hates, but nonetheless it is in the same ballpark as killing off a main character for unnecessary reasons.

My issue is that her OWN character made a statement that she totally blew apart at the seams for whatever reasons in the end. As I state all this, this story was still entertaining. I loved that Scarlett cares about her brother and his new family and has done one of the coolest things she can do in order to provide financial support for them. I do care for Scarlett regardless of who she stupidly falls in love with. I do care how she fares even though she lives a dangerous existence. I do care that she gets knocked down and manages to stagger back to her feet somehow. The sixth installment, called Shadow Hunt, should be a very interesting story indeed.

Great UF. I love the world, I love the characters, I love that Scarlett isn't perfect and that Dasheill isn't completely lacking human emotions. I love the mystery and intrigue in the quests, the adventure and the action. My only issue is that perhaps Scarlett fails too often. I wanted to see her succeed more in her confrontations, and maybe take a little less responsibility for all the evils in the world, especially that which she can't control.

Another instalment in the chaotic life that Scarlet lives. Scarlet may be human but she's also a powerful null meaning that her life is anything but ordinary. Still she's somehow accepted who and what she is and has even trained hard to protect herself and those she cares for and that is unfortunately her weak spot. Scarlet is adamant that she's not going to Las Vegas no matter what Dashiel decrees but who said vampires play fair? Dashiel might not be warm and fluffy but as the cardinal vampire of Los Angeles he understands weakness and to get what he wants will exploit any that Scarlet has and it just so happens that her family are easily manipulated. Scarlet never wanted to check ou the new vampire show and she certainly hadn't planned on being part of a belated bachelorette weekend but needs must when the devil drives !
I think Scarlet is a character you actually really like or just don't! She can come across as quite abrasive but thinking back she has really grown up as this series has developed. The fact that she's a null is used to great effect here and I particularly liked the way the author pays homage to the original Dracula legend but in her own inimitable style . Yet this story did unfortunately seem to go off at a tangent with the introduction of Skinners which completely changed the focus of the storyline. No spoilers but Scarlets about to confront a little piece of her past with repercussions that will ripple through to the next book. Still it would be boring if things always stayed the same so kudos to the author for such a bold move. Mystery, romance and betrayal all wrapped around vampires, werewolves and witches make this series stand out and I happily recommend it.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are my honest and I believe fair opinion

I loved the first book in this series but was terribly disappointed with this. All of the growth and maturity Scarlett gained in the last book up and disappeared in a flash about halfway through. She has the worst taste in men. Does she have something against mature responsible men?

This took place in Las Vegas. It had a different vibe since none of the regular side characters were around frequently. Frankly the new characters in Vegas weren’t interesting except for Wyatt. Jameson the null from New York was around. I didn’t care about him one way or the other, but as the book went on I liked him less and less.

The mystery was okay. I strongly suspected one of the main people involved. The whole thing was more complex than I originally thought. It didn’t grip me though. I will read the next one but I am not looking forward to it. The drama from this will greatly affect the rest of the series. It was bad enough to have to suffer through it in this. Now there’s no chance of it ending soon.

I loved urban fantasy when it is fun and fast paced and original, and this book ticked all those boxes.Throw in a great and very likable female lead and you have me hooked.I always think this must be such a fun genre to write there are no limits to the wild and wacky characters that the author can throw in .This was fairly straight forward mainly featuring vampires but the lead character and others were different and interesting and the story was unlike any I have read before.I liked the fact it didn't take itself too seriously and the pace of the book was great.I thought this was a very entertaining read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

When Dashiell, the vampire cardinal of Los Angeles hears about vampires having blatant show-off stage show in Las Vegas, he "convinces" Scarlett Bernard to do a little spying. Then Scarlett learns that vampires seem to be missing after attending the show and there might be hunters in Las Vegas killing them...

Honestly, I wasn't a lot happy with Scarlett in this book -- which is a bit disappointing because the previous one, Midnight Curse, rocked my socks off. I felt that she was acting slightly brashier; although maybe it was because Scarlett was manipulated to go a city she hated.

The case itself was okay but it wasn't gripping as the previous book (that involved Molly!). Since this was set in Las Vegas, it didn't exactly involved any of the L.A. characters that I care about. Sure, I liked Wyatt, a Las Vegas vampire who asked Scarlett's help, but the rest of the secondary characters didn't stand out for me. OH, but Scarlett met Sashi here, the healing witch who is also Lex Luther's friend from Boundary Magic series. I like it when characters are doing cross-over.

What let me down the most was the sudden development with Jameson, a null she once met in New York (I think it was back in Trail of Dead, second book of the first trilogy). While I don't particularly read this series for the romance but I can't help guessing Scarlett's possible love interest. For a while I think it will be Jesse since he has been there since the beginning, plus he has his own POV in this series. But I'm fine if Scarlett ends up with someone else.

But Jameson?! He is a blip on my radar, so the romance comes out of nowhere! It also a bit distracting from the main case of missing (and possible murdered) vampires. On top of that, I could see how this was used by Olson to introduce a HUGE plot in the end that would influence the rest of the series greatly (or at least the next Scarlett book) and I am still a bit ambivalent about it. On one hand, if is NOT the type of drama I like, feels like a 'cheap shot'. On the other hand, I can't help to think HOW it will play out. I'm quite invested in finding out...

PS: I missed Jesse terribly in this book. And Shadow too.

Melissa is one of my favorite authors, and Scarlett Bernard is among my favorite characters of all time. This does NOT disappoint, and shows Scarlett can carry the ball all on her own. LOVED IT!!

Although this can easily be read as a standalone, to truly understand the lush, wonderful world Olson has created, it's best to read the books in order:

Boundary Magic series:
1. Boundary Crossed
2. Boundary Lines
3. Boundary Born

Scarlett Bernard series:
1. Dead Spots
2. Trail of Dead
3. Hunter's Trail

Disrupted Magic series:
1. Midnight Curse
2. Blood Gamble
3. ?

Don't want to read that much? Okay, well, the Boundary Magic series gives you the background on boundary witches. Try downloading a sample of the first Boundary book even if books about witches aren't your thing. I really liked this series even though I'm not a fan of books about magic and witches. They were that good. The second series gives you Scarlett's backstory. A tossup, for my money, whether it's better than the current series. If you're only going to read one, try Dead Spots.

As for Blood Gamble, it's a clever mystery, with the wonderfully written characters we've come to expect from this author. No one does better at making supernaturals seem, well, human. Melissa Olson is always on my Must Read list, and she should be on yours. 5 stars.

Blood Gamble, Disrupted Magic Book 2, Melissa F. Olson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and Fantasy, General Fiction.

I love this extended series, first got into it via Lex' book, and then found the Scarlett novels and have eagerly devoured them ever since. Its got for me the perfect blend of story, paranormal issues and drama. It feels real, so very real. 

Scarlett's in Las Vegas, Dashiell having used his usual devious means to get his way. She hates it, had a bad experience there in the past and didn't want to return ever. Vampires are disappearing though, and the new show, run by two vampire celebrities seems to be at the centre of it.
As usual Scarlett gets right in the heart of danger, scrambling from one danger straight into the next. It would be easier to just do the bare bones of what she was tasked with, and in fact she has done what Dashiell asked so could leave.
This is Scarlett though, she can't leave when those she's come to care for are in dangers, when there could be something she can do to stop more disappearances, more murders. 

Its a great story, fast paced, very real and cleverly done. I didn't see how it was going to play out and certain revelations really caught me by surprise.
Its a great follow on from the last novel and given the ending ( what!!) I'm keen to crack on with the next novel. 
What I didn't feel so much was the relationship between her and Jameson. I can't really recall them back in NY, so maybe if I had this would feel more organic, more a natural development. as it was I could have believed in insta-lust but Love? Err...nope, wasn't feeling that. and maybe I just didn't want to, I've always hoped Jesse would prove to be the one for Scarlett...maybe one day? 

I missed the regulars too, Dashiell, Kirsty, Will, Molly, and of course Jesse and Shadow. Though I enjoyed this story I would have enjoyed reading about them even more.
Not sure how the whole crew could have been in Las Vegas though, in fact they couldn't. Paranormal constraints against most of them, supernaturals having fairly rigid rules and protocols for many events. And that would have made for a totally different story. 

I do hope Scarlett's back on home turf next time, with the characters we're used to meeting.

Stars: five, another drama ridden suspenseful story. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

In this adventure, Scarlett is pressured to go to Las Vegas to investigate a new stage show that seems to be outing vampires and their abilities. Her cover is a girls' weekend with her new sister-in-law and the other women of the bridal party. Scarlett isn't at all in favor of putting her sister-in-law and the other women in danger. Now she not only has to investigate but keep the humans safe too.

When she arrives in Las Vegas she finds that the show is being set up by two vampires - Arthur and Lucy Holmwood - who have been vampires since the days Dracula was written. They are vampire celebrities. Along with Arthur and Lucy is Jameson Thomas, a null that Scarlett met when Dashiell sent her to New York to see how other cities work. Jameson was under the control of the Master vampire of New York and had been his since he was twelve.

Jameson and Scarlett began a relationship but Scarlett's life was such a mess that she couldn't pursue the relationship. Now Jameson in in Las Vegas and their relationship grows despite his constant urging that she forget the investigation and leave town. This isn't a bad idea since skinners - people who hunt and kill Old World people - have come to town and are killing vampires.

Soon, Scarlett learns that a number of vampires have gone missing and she meets Wyatt whose partner Ellen is one of the missing. Wyatt's goal is to kill those who killed her and then have Scarlett help him die.

This story is filled with action as Scarlett investigates the disappearances of the vampires and has run-ins with the skinners too. There is romance and intrigue, love and betrayals, and lots of growth opportunities for Scarlett who is changing and coming into her own more with each book.

Fans of urban fantasy and Scarlett won't want to miss this episode and will be hoping for more.

Another brilliant urban fantasy book with elements of a murder mystery and magic mixed with a well-written, fast-paced plot that moves from one dilemma to another.  This one has plenty of surprises in it and the ending will leave some people upset but it still delivers an amazing read.  I can't wait to see where this series goes to next.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and had a great story. The characters were well developed with distinct personalities and relationships. I had not read the previous books so there were a lot of characters that I wasn't familiar with but it didn't detract from the story. After reading this, I will now go back and read the previous books. I highly recommend this book and this author.

If you enjoy fast paced, action filled , paranormal books ..... this one is for you !
This book takes Sarah Bernard , the Los Angeles Null , to Las Vegas .......... a city she hates .

The Cardinal Vampire of Los Angeles ask her , with a lot of arm twisting , to go in search of one of his missing vampires . The vampire had been sent to look into an 'vampire-themed 'show that could result in Humans becoming aware of the reality - Vampires Existed among them .!!!
Against her better judgement and to hide what she is , Sarah agrees to go as part of the future sister-in-law's hen party .
On seeing the show Sarah realises that it is made up of real vampires and things start to go downhill from there . An old Cowboy Vampire who's wife is missing convinces Sarah that a lot more vampires are missing and the link to their disappearance is the new show.
The creators of the show are vampire celebrities Arthur and Lucy Holmwood, who once inspired characters from the original Dracula.
Sarah is behind enemy lines with no back up from her usual gang and must utilise whatever help she can from the cowboy and a human vampire guard ( who is unfortunately scared of vampires )
to stop the Holmwoods by whatever means necessary - even her own life is at stake .

Another fast paced , action filled book by this Author - whose series just get better and better .

Vampires are going missing in Vegas, and when one of Dashielle's disappears while checking out a "Vampire" show, Scarlet is coerced into going to Vegas to check if they are exposing them to the world. An old grievance, a surprising meeting of a friend, more vampires are vanishing every week. Fast paced, action filled, witty dialog, great worldbuilding. An addictive well written series with a slam bang cliffhanger. Goosebumps, yah. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC for Netgalley.

Oh, wow. So much just happened in this story it's going to take a while to process what this means for the series going forward. Scarlett is on top form, developing in many new and unexpected ways and building on great relationships with people in the wider Old World universe. I can't wait to see how the next adventure unfolds now....