First Drop of Crimson - Top Reviewer

Amanda-Lee @ StoryWings

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Book Review: First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost

Review: First Drop of Crimson

Series: Night Huntress World – Book 1

Author: Jeaniene Frost

No. Of Pages: 371

Release Date: 9th February 2010

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows—her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield—and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness—and a demon shape shifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human—even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the nightmare together . . .

Because once the first crimson drop falls, they will both be lost.

My Thoughts:

Mrs. Frost, you have done it again.

I knocked this book over in a day; it was of the same quality as the Cat and Bones books.

I always loved Spade, ever since his first appearance in Halfway to the Grave he has been a character that I have wanted to see more of. Spade was a Baron before he was turned so he still has those gentlemanly qualities that we wish would crop up in everyday life. Even something as small as him helping people out of the car would make me sigh.

Denise is a strong woman; she was never one of those characters that made an impact for me though, just a person in the background. In FDOC though she absolutely shined, I know that is the point, but still the character that was portrayed was not what I was expecting at all. Denise was strong minded, strong willed and stubborn. This to me is a beautiful combination.

The banter between the two had some laugh out loud moments, which was also something I wasn’t expecting. Denise was a character I think that so far I am most like in how she talks, and also with the constant worry of the cost to other people. The moments when she was trying to calculate in her head whether her entire house would cover the expense to Spade on their journey was very funny.

As for the storyline, it was another huge surprise. Usually I can tell what’s going to happen during most of the novels I pick up. FDOC was a complete rollercoaster ride for the entire book. Everything was exciting, new and completely unexpected. After reading the Cat and Bones books you think to yourself “yes, this will probably continue on with their war and their story” but it is completely different. I love that Frost has incorporated such a closeness between the characters yet such a separation because they can go for two years without seeing each other and still be best friends.

The demon storyline was very interesting as I have only covered demons recently in one other book. I love the vampires, but for a vampire series with a focus on a demon, just because they feel like it, is refreshing.

Cat and Bones showed up late in this novel. It was almost wrong in a way not to be reading from Cats point of view when she showed up, just because I love her so much. But that awkwardness (and my stupidity) only lasted about two sentences before I was grinning because I got to hear Bone’s voice in my head again.

The romance in FDOC was different to Cat and Bones story, because Spade and Denise had both suffered a loss. I was so grateful to Frost for how she addressed the issue and didn’t wipe out the previous feelings with undeniable love and mind controlling lust. The characters accepted the past for what it was and also came to terms with the fact that they weren’t replacing their loved ones or forgetting them but that the new love was love as well and it is possible to love again. It is inspiring, especially for me.

I think that, if I had to choose, the only thing that I don't like about this book is the cover. Even when I first saw it months ago, that is not how I see Spade or Denise in my head. It looks trashier than what this book is. FDOC is tender and very caring, but that cover portrays Spade as dirty and Denise as easy, which neither of them were, in any way.

Overall First Drop of Crimson is of the same calibre, and fits perfectly into the Night Huntress world. The romance was beautiful, the characters were a scream and the storyline was unique. I have to undoubtedly play favourites and say that I still love Cat and Bones more (probably because they have four books), but that Spade and Denise’s story is not one to be missed. FDOC would definitely work as a standalone novel if one hasn’t previously read the Night Huntress series.

First Drop of Crimson Reviews

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Average BWB Rating: 3.1 / 4

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First Drop of Crimson - Blog with Bite Review - Parajunkee

First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World, Book 1) by Jeaniene Frost

Kindle download...bought it!

PJVs QUICKIE POV: Spade sizzles as the Night Huntress World expands. Yowzers I think I want me my own personal vamp too. Frost delivers a sexy, fun, and still a little bit deep paranormal romance all wrapped up in the happy world she introduced in her earlier books featuring Cat and Bones. 

REVIEW: Denise, having just lost her husband the year previously in a vampire war, has sworn off the violent world of the undead. Unfortunately for her, the paranormal world will not leave her alone. Face to face with a demon named Raum, Denise now has very little time to track down a long lost relative to hand over to Raum, or watch her family die. She desperately tries to track down her best friend Cat and Cat's husband Bones, but it has been awhile since they spoke, so she can't handle up on any working numbers.  A number she does have is Bone's sexy friend, Spade, vampire extraordinaire, and not someone Denise is fond of contacting. Biting the bullet she makes the call and Spade swoops down to help Denise in her time of need, because like her he is loathe to get Bones involved in something so dangerous as dealings with Demons.

Spade and Denise set out on a break-neck journey trying to track down Denise's relative. From England, to Vegas, to Monaco, they span the globe in search of the soul welsher...and the entire time they are in complete denial of their feelings for each other. Spade could never have the hots for a human, and Denise wants nothing to do with the vampire world. Back-stories, prejudices and hot tempers lead to a very tumultuous romance...and a great read.  I agree with my fellow BWB babes, one of the best PNRs I've read in awhile. 

Down points, Denise was a bit of a wimpy wank, but made up for it in the end. Grrr.  Some of the novel did drag after they initially hooked up, after you got through the foreplay I felt the cuddling lasted a bit too long. Pretty much thought the novel could have ended quickly after that. The usual romance blue print applied - Meet - Attraction - Deny Attraction - Flirt - Hook up - Break -up when "secret" is revealed - Hook back up - Get Hitched.  Just the time between Hook up and Break up were long and drawn out, and then there was like no time between break up and hook back up...soooo well I think that could have been better.

Good points. Great characters, plot was interesting. There were some plot threads that were a bit predictable and defied logic but all in all they were "real". Denise was a very likable character and so was Spade. Even characters I don't like in the Cat/Bones books, I actually liked in this book (IAN).  Also there were a few tidbits in the book that was amusing and I thought were very witty.  Like the demon wearing a Got Brimstone? tee. Too funny.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Adults only, typical PNR.  Fans of vamps, the Cat and Bones series, and paranormal romance, a must read.

RUMINATIONS: -new feature- (Spoiler Alert): My fav scene in this book was when Ian busted in on Spade and Denise. Made me really like that guy. I sooo see an Ian book. That should be interesting. The next book was blurbed at the end of this one as featuring Mencheres (sp?).

3/4 BWB Rating

Discussion Quesitons:

Denise and Spades chemistry sparks more than a firecracker on the 4rth of July. Did you like the chemistry between them and did you feel the development of the relationship work?

I liked it, and felt it was believable. I find a lot of PNR does this fated/love thing that drives me crazy, whereas Spade and Denis had the whole, initial attraction, but then they are turned off because of their current situations etc., so they went into the romance kicking and screaming, so-to-speak.  It really worked for me and was very believable.  The shower...OMG. 

Have you read the Cat & Bones series? Denise is such a different (wimpier) character than Cat... did that make a difference to you?

Yes, I have read the Cat & Bones series. Let me break it down for you.  The Night Huntress books are UF books wrapped up with a romance flavor. First Drop - total PNR (paranormal romance). Cat is your typical UF (Urban Fantasy), arse kicking, trash talking, stubborn protagonist. Denise is your A-Typical romance heroine, meek, but strong-willed, damaged because of past tragedy, all set on changing her world for the better and not even looking for love (need expansion on this type of character pick up any Nora Roberts novel). I'm not always (usually never) a fan of the romance protagonist, but Denise worked for me, probably because in the end she turned into a UF character...when she kicked Raum's bootie.

LIGHTNING ROUND. Identify your top three favorite PNR series.  "There are too many!" is not an answer. Neither is more than three.  Name the top three. Ready.....go!

The Black Dagger Brotherhood, Night Huntress, Jane True Series.

Sizzle or Fizzle?

Sizzle

First Drop of Crimson Discussion Questions

Denise and Spades chemistry sparks more than a firecracker on the 4rth of July. Did you like the chemistry between them and did you feel the development of the relationship work?

Have you read the Cat & Bones series? Denise is such a different (wimpier) character than Cat... did that make a difference to you?

LIGHTNING ROUND. Identify your top three favorite PNR series.  "There are too many!" is not an answer. Neither is more than three.  Name the top three. Ready.....go!

Sizzle or Fizzle?