Sunday, April 28, 2013

Death's Servant (The VV Inn #0.5) by CJ Ellisson + giveaway


Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his alpha one too many times. After another argument he leaves the Manitoba pack, his only home since the werewolf attack that changed his life. He returns to his home state of Virginia to start a new life free of pack politics. Jon finds work and meets a young waitress, Raine, who appears to be a lone werewolf, too.

As their relationship progresses, Jon’s embroiled in more intrigue than he bargained for and a danger bigger than he can handle. He's running scared until his own alpha tendencies surface, making him unable to leave the pretty werewolf’s problems behind. The young man is desperate to save Raine—even if his efforts may lead him straight to death.

Journey along in this first prequel novel involving the favorite characters from the bestselling V V Inn series. Written at reader demand, this stand-alone story explains how the beloved Jonathan came to serve the deadly redheaded vampire, Dria.


Type: Paranormal, novella
Heat: Eh. 3 I guess. There's one scene between Rafe and Dria but that's it.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Ahh yeah, I am so totally smitten with this series. Ellisson has a great voice and always tuns out well-written, entertaining stories with amazing, passionate and endearing characters. And Death's Servant, which is a look into the past on how the series characters met, really was no exception. She even managed to totally squick me out with one scene and put me off my cereal for a while. I freaking LOVE when an author can do that.


There were two parts to this one kinda mashed up together. Getting to see Jon and how he came to be in Viv/Dria and Rafe's lives and seeing what kinda made him into the guy he is today. There's action and drama, some heart breaking moments as he steps in and tries to save another wolf Pack in need, a squick-you-completely-out-put-you-off-your-dinner moment or two and a tasty little liaison between Rafe and Dria that Jon, who so has a naughty wolf moment, spies on. It's really pretty amazing how much Ellisson can pack into a little novella and make really work.

I really liked being IN Jon's head (the story is told from his point of view) He's a young guy and hasn't been a werewolf too long at this point. He's just left his Pack for sites unknown when he runs into some trouble he just can't walk away from. I just love Jon and getting to see him as a young wolf was a real treat. I loved that even though he's very much an alpha male he wasn't always certain. He freaks out and gets nervous, blushes and tucks tail and runs from time to time. But he doesn't give up the fight and eventually pulls himself together to make things happen. He's just an awesome character that was fun to get to know a little bit better.
"...calm your racing mind. It will help you from mentally having to shout over your own conflicting thoughts--which is how you initially broadcasted the 'shouted' snippets to being with." 
My brain processes what she's saying, but staring at her denim-clad tight ass makes it very hard to implement. Clear my head. Umm... yeah... 
Baseball. Football. 
Washington is muggy, even in June. 
Vampires kill people.
If you're new to the series Death's Servant was really a great read that'll give you a little taste of the world Ellisson created. There are some dark vampy moments and some humor and lots of remarkable characters that are really good "people" even if they try to hide it now and again. And if you're a fan of the series? Yeah it's definitely a treat getting to see how things came about all those years earlier.


Vanilla on Top Review  *2013 Pick of the Litter*

Today's book inspired Man Candy....
Because he's just yummy and I could totally see him being a wolf...


C.J. Ellisson is the USA Today Bestselling author of the NYT Bestselling book, Vanilla on Top, the bestselling V V Inn series, and several erotica shorts. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze. Unlike most full-time authors, she's also battling severe chronic illness. C.J. works daily to put her Lupus into remission and continues to fight numerous bacterial infections while her immune system slowly attacks her body. She turned to writing when she could no longer work outside the home and claims the escape of penning contemporary fantasy, erotica, and erotic romance has helped save her sanity.




CJ's giving away some very very pretty swag. That may be one of the coolest pens I've seen. If you'd like to be entered for it just leave a comment and fill out that rafflecopter. Yall not entering the giveaway feel free to leave a comment too! I love hearing from all of you :)
Ends 5/31


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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