Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason

The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
Release date: February 5, 2008!!! Good luck, Colleen!
Signet Eclipse
Paranormal Romance
346 pages (ARC)

What led you to pick up this book? I would have bought it, anyway, of course. But, Colleen had her publisher send me an advanced reader. Did I tell you Colleen is uber cool?

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending. The third installment in the Victoria Gardella Vampire series takes place in Italy, as Victoria takes over the job of Illa Gardella (top vampire killer) and goes in search of a missing key to open the door of a long-locked laboratory. Victoria, aided by Max and still unsure of the loyalty of her dubious sometimes-lover, Sebastian, fights both vampires and a demon who has returned to earth.

What did you like most about the book? I love everything about this series, but particularly the action, the setting (love the time period), the characters, the dilemmas Victoria must face as a woman and the courage with which she faces each new challenge. Also, Colleen's writing is impeccable. I always feel like I'm completely immersed in the time and place; suspension of disbelief is simply not an issue.

What did you think of the characters? I adore the characters. All of them. I love the vampire slayers and it's easy to work up a fierce desire to stab the bad guys.

Share a favorite scene from the book: I can't! I'll give everything away! But, my favorite scene is right near the end and has to do with Victoria, Max, Sebastian, Beauregard, dripping blood, holy water. I can't even begin to tell you what a fabulous ending this book has.

In general: Better than the second book (which I loved), less graphic sex, more development of an already-terrific cast; a tremendous thrill-ride of a novel. Don't let the "romance" categorization put you off; the Victoria Gardella series is heavy on action and too fun to miss.

5/5 - A little slow at the beginning, but once it gets going you'll need a safety belt. It's one heck of a fun ride.

Second DNF of 2008: The Pickwick Papers because I realized I was skirting the book, avoiding it. Too saccharine? Too useful as a doorstop? Too many books at once? Probably a combination. But, I've decided that since it's almost February, I'm just going to move right along. Dickens and I will get together another time. Sorry, Chuck.

Just finished: Who Creamed Peaches, Anyway? by Stevi Mittman

Current weather conditions: Gusty. I'm going to have to shut down because the power is flickering, darn it. So much for evening computer fun.

Be good and eat all your Wheaties,
Bookfool in bad weather (with flashlight)

27 comments:

  1. I AM NOT READING THIS BECAUSE IT IS TOO MUCH LIKE TORTURE TO HEAR YOU AND CHRIS PRAISE IT!!!

    There, now I feel better. *sigh*

    Anyway, the winter storm warning I was complaining about last night has been upgraded(?) to a blizzard warning. Hoo-ray. At the moment, however, it's still raining.

    I'd rather have a normal winter, thanks.

    cjh

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  2. Awww, there there, CJ.

    Torture is strictly unintentional.

    Blizzard? Cool! Umm, maybe not. But, I'll tell ya, I don't consider tornadic weather in the winter "normal" -- never will -- although it's typical for this region. I like to think those springy days in the 60's or 70's are our reward for tolerating summer. Summer sucks, big time.

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  3. Oh, torture whatever CJ, it's almost out :P

    Great review Bookfool :) I couldn't agree more with what you said about the book...by the end, it really had my adrenaline pumping! And it's not too bad of a wait unit When Twilight Burns! I think the release date for that one is August!

    So you and Charles aren't getting along too good this year, huh? You need a skinny Dickens...if that even exists!

    And I hate wheaties...blech! \_/

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  4. Chris,

    I almost said that: "Just a few more days!"

    Isn't the end of the book awesome? I was practically telling the book what to do. It was like the chicken: breakfast relationship. I was feeling very involved.

    No, Chuckie and I aren't working out. I've "done" his only skinny book, as far as I know: A Christmas Carol. I didn't actually realize that I'd read it, till recently. Didn't you say something about a similar experience -- that you started to read a book and all of a sudden memories of your youth came flooding back and you remembered reading it?

    I didn't say I eat Wheaties. It's the thought that counts. I loves my readers and wants them healthy.

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  5. Ooh, I am jealous that you've gotten to read it! I canNOT wait to get my hands on the Bleeding Dusk. Aargh. Torture, and not the sweet kind!!

    Sounds like someone needs to take care of CJ. A blizzard, and not the kind from Dairy Queen? No thanks!

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  6. I was surprsied to see this in our Borders, before the anticipated date of February 5. But, I still didn't buy it, on the off chance I'll win it from you. If not, rest assured I'll be first in line because I know where to find it. It's fun to get hooked on a series, and anticipate the receipt of the next installment.

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  7. Susan,

    It's worth the wait, but notice Bellezza said it's already out in her Borders? Your wait could be over! Unless, of course, you're delaying to see if you won a copy. Then, you'll just have to bide your time. (pat,pat) It'll be over in no time. ;)

    I'm almost jealous of the blizzard. What an excellent excuse to do nothing but read, read, read. Unless, of course, you have to go to work in it. That would be a nuisance.

    Bellezza,

    That is exactly what I'd do! I'm really quite patient. On the other hand, I'm not usually a series reader and Colleen's series is so freaking addictive that I can see myself saying, "Must have! Must have!" :)

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  8. Yep the same thing happened with me a couple of years ago with Tom Sawyer...didn't realize I had read it! Not the greatest book in the world, but it sure put a smile on my face because I loved it as a boy when we read it as a class. A Tale of Two Cities isn't too bad...it's really depressing, but it's not as long as David Copperfield persay....Maybe you just need a Dickens break though ;)

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  9. Yeah, I think I'll give Dickens a pass, for now. I need to find out what the February challenge book is. I'm not very attentive, right now. Need to get my act together.

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  10. I'm looking forward to reading this one. You make it sound irresistible, Nancy!

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  11. Wendy,

    Then I've done my job. :) Hope you love it as much as I did!

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  12. Well, gee, Chris, thanks for the sympathy. ;) I know it's only a few more days but it seems like a freaking lifetime!!

    And no, blizzards are not cool in any way beyond temperatures. Especially not when you're considered 'essential personnel' and have to report for work instead of staying snug at home!

    Yay! Susan is on my side! Thanks for both forms of sympathy - the book and the freakin' blizzard! We're having wind gusts of up to 52 mph hour at the moment. Ever been in a white out? Not fun. At all.

    Oh, and I agree with LF. The reviews are great and you make the book sound irresistible. That, however is the problem!!!!

    cjh

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  13. Thank you so much, Bookfool. I'm blushing up here in snowy, windy, blustery Michigan.

    I'm really glad you enjoyed it. My heart was pumping like crazy as I wrote those last few chapters too.

    And as for Chuck...the only one of his tomes I've ever gotten through was David Copperfield.

    Oh, wait. No I didn't. I just told my English prof that I did. LOL.

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  14. This sounds so fun but I still need to catch up - only on the second one. Keep warm over there :)

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  15. CJ,

    You're not supposed to be essential. The idea is to be expendable, so that you can stay home and read while people are getting stuck in snow drifts. Sorry. Don't get lost in the white-out, please. :)

    If you would, please, write me at bookfoolery at yahoo dot com.

    Irresistible is good. I want people to run out to grab the book because I think it's fantastic and the author deserves success.

    Hi Colleen!

    Speak of the devil! Best of luck on your release!! Is it snowing in Ann Arbor? We were just talking about the fact that we need a license plate frame that says "I'd rather be in Ann Arbor". We have a bumper sticker, but neither one of us likes sticking things on a car. :)

    Loved those last chapters. I felt stifled writing the review, but it would be cruel to say more. It's just got to be read to be enjoyed.

    Chuck and I did well, last year. I loved Great Expectations so much that I frequently quoted to the husband. I was particularly fond of Joe, the way he looked at his wife and said, "She's a fine figure of a woman!" How sweet is that? But, so far, we're not getting along, this year. Ah, well.

    Uh-oh, did you fake out your English prof? I did that with Shakespeare and Cliffs Notes when I was young and scattered. :)

    Iliana,

    You sound more patient than everyone else. I hope you enjoy it when you get to that point!

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  16. That's it! I'm ordering the first book in the series from B&N with my Christmas gift card. I cannot hold out any longer.

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  17. Bookfool, it's been blustery and realllly windy up here. And we're supposed to get six inches of snow tomorrow night, so we'll see.

    As for me faking out my English prof? *bats eyelashes*

    Let's just say...I was an English major. I probably read only about 40% of the books I was supposed to read during my classes. Meaning, about 40% of the time, I read the whole thing. Otherwise, I skipped, skimmed, stopped.

    Oh, and for one class (which I somehow got an A in--because I wrote great papers, go figure) I think I read ONE of the assigned books (out of fifteen).

    I just listened to the lectures really well. (There was no Internet then.)

    Thanks again Bookfool!

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  18. Andi,

    I feel so good for corrupting you. I think you'll love it. :)

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  19. Wow, Bookfool, you write such great reviews. You said everything I felt about this book but the words just don't come out sounding this good. Maybe if I tried a different keyboard? Think it would help?

    I am rather surprised that I love these books as much as I do. I've never been into romance or vampires, but these books are great!

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  20. Colleen,

    The blustery part . . . I remember filling the car with gas in Ann Arbor and thinking my fingers were going to fall off, so I'm sure you could do without the wind. But, 6" of snow is kind of fun if you've got a place to play, warm boots, thick gloves and a good coat. We had such a great time during the winter. Hope you manage to enjoy it. :)

    You are so funny! I think that one bit of Shakespeare was a daydreaming issue. I was out the window during class and I'd already read the play (Romeo and Juliet -- love it, but I didn't want to read it, again) at my grandmother's house, so I opted to just grab the Cliff's notes. You must have been a terrific listener; I was not. What I excelled at was taking notes; but in that class . . . well, the teacher was really hot. I had a terrible time listening to him. LOL

    I doubt anyone will question how well you did on your writing assignments. :)

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  21. Booklogged,

    Well, thank you. Funny you should say that because I stressed for a week, thinking there was no way I could live up to your review! I thought it was fantastic. Maybe we're just too critical of ourselves.

    That's true of me, also -- not a big romance fan and I never dreamed I'd like anything at all with vampires in it. I bought The Rest Falls Away on a total whim, thinking that I had to buy it because Colleen wrote it (she was one of the first visitors to my blog) and was totally stunned how much I loved it. And, honestly, she just keeps surprising me. Now, I'm actually starting to like this whole vampire concept. Weird!

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  22. Oh, great review! I can't wait to read this. I've pre-ordered it from Amazon Japan and they say I should have it by the 7th, fingers crossed.
    Sorry to hear you and Chuck aren't getting along this year but hey, there's always next year. :)

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  23. Wasn't TBD one heck of a wild ride? I think I held my breath for the last 3 or 4 chapters! SO many surprises!

    I can't wait for the next installment.

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  24. Nat,

    You'll be glad you ordered it. I'm crossing my fingers for you. Nope, make that toes. It's hard to type with crossed fingers.

    Well, Chuck and I can always get together later. Yep, there's always next year. I do wish I'd revisited Great Expectations, instead, but I'm just going to move right along.

    Heather,

    Absolutely. I did the same. In fact, I actually talked to the book. I love it when I feel that involved.

    The wait is going to be torture.

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  25. I know what you mean about Colleen's books; I was never really much into vampire books (except for Robin McKinley's 'Sunshine') but I absolutely love this series. Of course, I adore regencies so this is just the perfect blend. Can't WAIT for The Bleeding Dusk! (oh,my, I think I'm overtired; I just typed "The Bleeding Duck" and made myself laugh -- sorry, Colleen!)

    As for Chuck, well, I'm not fond of Pickwick. A little too much I think; I prefer his late works - Our Mutual Friend is my fave.

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  26. Melanie,

    I can't say I've read a lot of Regency novels, but I like the time period from what little I've read. Just a few more days. Hang in there. :)

    LOL on The Bleeding Duck! I love it.

    Oh, no! I've never heard of Our Mutual Friend. Dang, gotta add that to the wish brick.

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  27. I can not WAIT to read this book!!!

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