Review: House Rules by Chloe Neill

House Rules 

by Chloe Neill 

(Chicagoland Vampires #7) 

Published February 5th 2013 by NAL Penguin

Source: From Publisher for honest review

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined

REVIEW

This is book 7 in a series, so don't be surprised if I talk about plots in earlier books. If you're not update on the series you may want to come back and read my review once you've read House Rules. 

 "I think Chloe Neill has finally brought the series back around to where I can be excited about it again." - The Book Nympho

Review: Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill

Twice Bitten 

By Chloe Neill 

Book #3 in the Chicagoland Vampires 

Urban Fantasy 

Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit, Chicago's newest vampire. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene-and to spy for the vamps while she's at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan's offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Unfortunately, someone is gunning for Gabriel, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She'll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals-not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries-old master vampire.

Merit, now as one with her vampire self, is becoming more formidable. After her last showdown with Celine she knows she’s got her work cut out for her but Merit’s brain is still her strongest asset. Nick Breckenridge’s debacle has led to his Alpha leader, Gabriel Keene, asking for her help and protection as he prepares for the shifters convening in Chicago. Ethan’s helping with her combat training sessions, which are starting to look like foreplay.

This book was the most exciting, and frustrating, so far. There’s mistrust between the vampires, the shifters are at odds with each other about whether to stay and support the brewing unrest between the humans and the vampires and someone’s trying to kill Gabriel. Merit’s relationship with Morgan deteriorated and she’s still on the outs with her best friend, Mallory. Throw in Ethan’s mixed messages and you’ve got the makings of a very strange brew. Merit is really coming into her own, in spite of the chaos around her. Actions taken by Ethan have the unintended consequence of helping Merit to bond with her fellow vamps at Cadogan House and she becomes that much closer to becoming one with her vampire nature. There was so much going on this story it was hard to put down.

I’m so itching to start the next book because of circumstances that happened at the end of this one. There are still more mysteries to uncover and new ones that will develop. You’ve been forewarned that you should be prepared to read this and the next book back to back.

Series Reading Order:
Some Girls Bite - Review
Friday Night Bites - Review
Twice Bitten
Hard Bitten - Review
Drink Deep - Review
Biting Cold - Review
House Rules - Review Coming Soon
Biting Bad - Releases August 6th

Review: Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neil

Friday Night Bites 

By Chloe Neill 

Chicagoland Vampire Series #2

Urban Fantasy

The story of a young heiress's initiation into the dark society of the Chicagoland Vampires continues...

Ten months after vampires revealed their existence to the mortals of Chicago, they're enjoying a celebrity status usually reserved for the Hollywood elite. But should people learn about the Raves-mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle-the citizens will start sharpening their stakes.

So now it's up to the new vampire Merit to reconnect with her upper class family and act as liaison between humans and bloodsuckers, and keep the more unsavory aspects of the vampire lifestyle out of the media. But someone doesn't want peace between them-someone with an ancient grudge...

Friday Night Bites takes place about two weeks after the conclusion of Some Girls Bite; Merit is making plans to move into the Cadogan house, and the vampire community itself has gained a certain level of celebrity. There is word the shifter pack leader Gabriel Keene intends to hold a shapeshifters conference in Chicago, and there are also rumors that the Chicago World Weekly, and Jamie Breckenridge in particular, is taking a particular interest in the underground vampire raves (flash mobs of sorts that meet and mass feed). In order to quell any unsavory press and understand Jamie’s motive, Ethan asks Merit to return to her family and their high society connections. As Merit and Ethan hobnob with Chicago’s high society, a boyfriend from Merit’s past brings new trouble for the vampire community. Merit’s allegiances, strength, and willpower continue to be tested as human-supernatural relationship become increasingly tense and tenuous.

Merit finally makes the move into Cadogan House and attempts to adapt to the vampire world and those she’s been charged to protect as Sentinel. The new crisis involves the family of her old boyfriend, Nick Breckenridge, whose brother Jamie is rumored to be developing a story about suspected vampire raves. Merit has to reenter her family’s high society world to find a way to stop this before it gets started, disrupting the strange détente the vamps have achieved with humans. She’s also continuing to see Morgan, the Master of the Navarre House, at his demand and Ethan’s encouragement, even as she’s still trying to figure out her feelings for Ethan.

Ethan continues to send mixed signals about his feelings for Merit. One minute he’s demanding subservience and the next he’s transmitting lust. She, on the other hand, is trying her best to find that balance between staying true to her nature and being a Sentinel and acknowledging Ethan as her master (good luck with that). Morgan certainly complicates matters and no one seems to want to give her the time to sort it all out on her own. As in the first book, not everyone is who they seem to be and there is another traitor in Ethan’s house. Celine still is a threat even after having been exiled to Europe. Merit also is getting stronger and developing new skills as she works to reconcile her human self with her vamp.

The jury is still out for me with Ethan and Merit is doing the right thing by proceeding with caution. She’s making him prove himself and of course he finds it frustrating. The world created here is an interesting one with humans having awareness of some supernaturals but not a clue about others (shifters, water nymphs, sorcerers). You can sense an undercurrent of things reaching a spilling point and that tension creates intrigue. There’s an exciting climax that was pretty extraordinary, making me fly right into the next book. A lot of my questions from the first book were answered here only to create new situations and mysteries. This isn’t a series where you can read one book and move onto something else and come back to it. I’m jumping into the next book right away. Stay tuned.

Series Reading Order:
Some Girls Bite - Review
Friday Night Bites
Twice Bitten
Hard Bitten - Review
Drink Deep - Review
Biting Cold - Review
House Rules - Review Coming Soon
Biting Bad - Releases August 6th

Review: Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Some Girls Bite 

By Chloe Neill 

Book #1 in the Chicagoland Vampire series 

Urban Fantasy 

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord of the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war and there will be blood.

Merit was a pretty contented graduate student whose life changed after one bite. She was attacked by a vampire one evening on her college campus. The vampire was interrupted before he could finish her off, chased away by none other than Ethan Sullivan, the Master vampire of Cadogan House. His only way to save her was to turn her and that decision changed her life forever.

This was an interesting story and good start to what promises to be an intriguing series. Merit’s relationships expand and change significantly as a result of her now being a vampire. The first significant change is that she can no longer continue her graduate studies (turns out the colleges have a rule) so Merit has to come to terms with what will be her new identity. Her roommate Mallory, already obsessed with matters of the occult, is her salvation as she helps Merit adapt to her new circumstances. She also figures more prominently into the story when it’s discovered she has some special gifts of her own and it leads to an unplanned romance.

Merit is deeply resentful of Ethan and she cannot fall in step with the requirement that new initiates pretty much grovel at his feet and swear undying allegiance. Her attitude gets her into all sorts of dilemmas and doesn’t endear her much with her new found brethren. The relationship between these two is complex as both seem to have an unnatural attraction to each other, one that they both seem to want to deny but can’t ignore the reality of their feelings. Ethan has some archaic views (he’s almost 400 years old so I guess it’s to be expected) and isn’t used to being challenged. Jury is still out on him as he’s not showing up so good as a hero but Merit shows promise if she watches her tongue.

There were quite a few extraordinary events that occurred, including Merit’s initiation ceremony and her designated role at Cadogan House. The circumstances surrounding her attack pointed to a much larger plot and set up some conflicts going forward.

I liked a lot about this story, even with its mystique and unanswered issues. I’m looking forward to the next book as there were many other interesting characters that will make this series compelling.

Series Reading Order:
Some Girls Bite
Friday Night Bites
Twice Bitten
Hard Bitten - Review
Drink Deep - Review
Biting Cold - Review
House Rules - Review Coming Soon
Biting Bad - Releases August 6th

UF Review: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

Biting Cold

by Chloe Neill

Book #6 in the Chicagoland Vampire series

Source: Borrowed

★★★

Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans.

Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

REVIEW

***If you are not update on the series there will be some spoilers in this review.***

As much as I love this series I had a bit of trouble getting into Biting Cold. I was over the Mallory story before it even got started. I was having Willow (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) flashbacks but minus the fact that Mallory didn't flay someone. But I’m sure had she been given the time she would have.

Another thing that put me off some was the fact that it took Merit and Ethan so long to have a true reunion. After all the heartache that Merit went through those months that Ethan was gone, and how he must have missed her. Yeah ok so they had an evil witch and ex-governor Tate on their hands but still. It took too long and every time something got in the way I was groaning.

And the whole Ethan back tracking again. About how the house and their jobs are more important than their feelings. Really?! The man died for her. She mourned him for months. I think if I was Merit I would have used my sword on him at some point.

Ok now that my rant about the 1st half of the book is over…..

I am happy to say that the second half of the book did pick up for me. Mallory got pushed to the side where she belongs and we started really focusing on the big bad. I found that storyline interesting and I’m glad that it wrapped up in this book instead of dragging on to the next book.

But to me the best part of the book was the lead up to what might happen in House Rules.

Simply put, Biting Cold left me feeling a little cold but I can’t wait to see what House Rules brings to the series. I really think it could turn things around and give us some of the Merit and Ethan bite back.

BLOG TOUR: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

REVIEW COMING SOON

BITING COLD
by Chloe Neill
Book #6 in the Chicagoland Vampire series
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Indiebound

Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans.


Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win?

Below, you’ll find a key word. Each participant in the Biting Cold Blog Tour has one, and when you put them all together in order, you’ll find a quote from a Chicagoland Vampires novel.


That quote is the passcode you’ll need to enter the Biting Cold Scavenger Hunt Giveaway, which will begin on August 11, 2012 on Chloe’s web site. The giveaway will END at midnight on August 17, 2012.


What are the Scavenger Hunt Giveaway prizes?

• A complete set of Chicagoland Vampires audiobook CDs (generously provided by Tantor Audio) 
• A $25 CafePress gift card you can use in the Chicagoland Vampires store 
• Autographed copies of DRINK DEEP and CHARMFALL 
• A Chicagoland Vampires tote bag with other Chicagoland Vampires swag, including a mouse pad, bookmarks, and stickers!

HAVE

- CV bookmark
- CV postcard
- CV sticker
- “I survived Hard Bitten” button
- A CV mousepad (NAVR or “Keep Calm and Cadogan”)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure you check out the other stops on the tour!

July 30, 2012 

Paperback dolls

July 31, 2012 

The Book Nympho 

August 1, 2012 

AwesomeSauce Book Club  

Addicted 2 Heroines 

August 2, 2012 

The Peasants Revolt

Literary Escapism

August 3, 2012 

Mystifying Paranormal Reviews 

Herding Cats & Burning Soup

August 6, 2012 

Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance 

All the Fun Starts After Dark

August 7, 2012 

Nice Girls Don’t Read Naughty Books

YA Reads

August 8, 2012

Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust

Happy Tales & Tails

August 9, 2012 

Oh, Paper Pages!

August 10, 2012

Ms. Vain’s Paranormal Fantasy

August 11, 2012

Scavenger Hunt Contest Entries Start Today 

August 17, 2012

Scavenger Hunt Contest Entries Close Today

Cover Reveal: House Rules by Chloe Neill

House Rules 

by Chloe Neill 

(Chicagoland Vampires #7)

Expected publication: February 2013 by NAL Penguin

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps. At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before. 

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

Not my favorite cover to date but still pretty kick ass. 

And I love the title.

I can't wait to read this but we have to 

get Biting Cold in the stores first.

Other covers in the series:

 

  

 Which is your favorite cover?

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Drink Deep by Chloe Neill

Drink Deep 

by Chloe Neill 

Chicagoland Vampires #5

Published November 1st 2011 by Penguin Group USA, Inc

Source: Purchase from B&N

RATING: ★★★1/2

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and Merit the vampire can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn, or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times have never been more precarious for the vampires. If only they could lay low for a bit...


Then magic rears its ugly head when Lake Michigan turns black. The mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows a panic is coming. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for both the vampires and humans.

REVIEW

My review of Drink Deep will be very short. Why? It’s a hard review to write without a MAJOR spoiler. So here we go. If you read the last book, Hard Bitten then you know the love/hate of the plot and the cliffhanger. I won’t say more for spoiler reasons. And with all that went on in HB I was nervous about reading Drink Deep so I put it off for a few months thinking that I would read it right before the next book, Biting Cold comes out in August. But I was in a reading funk and decided that Neill would be the perfect author to get me out of that funk. And I was right.

Because Hard Bitten was such an awesome book (yes I was one of the few that didn’t hate Neill after I read it.) I think Drink Deep was a bit on the slow side in comparison. I feel like DD is a bridge book between HB and Biting Cold. I think we had to get through the things in DD to setup the tone of the rest of the series. I believe that Merit’s life has changed and will never be the same again. The change will probably not be liked by some but I enjoyed the plot even though I thought some of it was a little on the predictable side.

Would have to say the best part of the book was about the last quarter of it. I found myself skimming a few parts and I wanted to punch so many of the characters at different moments. I really disliked the character that the GP sent to audit the Cadogen House, Frank. I just wanted someone to stake him.

To me Drink Deep is the sign of change and I can’t wait to see what the future of the series will hold. I can see it really turning into a kickass story line from here out.

Fun Quote: 

“And that’s why we’re sending Boobs McGee.”
I slowly swiveled my head to glare at Catcher. “Seriously. You’re, what, twelve now?”

Drink Deep Blog Tour - Author Interview with Chloe Neill

It is my extreme pleasure to have Ms. Chloe Neill at The Book Nympho today!! {Fangirl Squee!} I hope you enjoy the interview and no, I didn't ask THE question, that we are all dying to know the answer to. You'll just have to read the book like me. 



The Book Nympho (TBN): I love your characters; they are so snarky and fun. Does your own personality come into play when coming up with the incredible dialogue and one liners?


Chloe Neill (CN): Thank you! I am a very sarcastic and curious person, as are my characters. Thus, those aspects of my personality definitely shine through. As for the one-liners, while I definitely try to use those in real life, they don't always work out. Just ask my husband. :)


TBN:  I know that the CV series is mostly about vamps but will we get to see more of the shifters/weres as the series
goes on?


CN: The series is centered around the Chicago vampire Houses, but shifters, nymphs and other creatures are key members of society in Chicago, so I'm sure they'll continue to pop up.


TBN: Will we ever get to hear Catcher’s story about why he was kicked out of The Order?


CN: Yes. Merit is learning about Catcher's relationship with the Order--and the Order generally--over time.


TBN: I know you are busy with the CV and Dark Elite series but do you have plans for any other series?


CN: At the moment, CV and DE keep me very busy. But I definitely have ideas for brand new series--I just need the time to write them!


Thanks so much for having me today!

Drink Deep (Chicagoland Vampires #5)
by Chloe Neill 
Release Date: November 1, 2012


Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.

That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.

Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.

BUY the book here:

Amazon / B&N / Book Depo


To Read Chapter 1 click HERE

About the Author:

Chloe Neill was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest–just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia’s to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.) Chloe is represented by Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. Chloe is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

To find out more about Chloe visit her at:

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Chicagoland Vampires Series

          

Cover Revealed: Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires No. 6)

We are a little over a month away from the release of Drink Deep (November 1st), the 5th book in the Chicagoland Vampires Series and now Neill has us drooling over the cover for the 6th book, Biting Cold.

Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires No. 6)
Release date for Biting Cold is August 2012.
Synopsis:
Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans.

Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

Release 11/1/11

Drink Deep Sample Up

Chloe Neill has posted a sample of Drink Deep on her website. Go HERE to read it.

Title for Book 6 in CV series?!

From Chloe Neill's Facebook page.....

Comment: Cool and haunting! (Makes note for CV6, BITING COLD).

(Picture and link that the comment refers to)

This color photo, dating to 1943, is part of a Library of Congress collection that I've posted shots from before. This one is just lovely. And I'm also pretty sure that I know where this train shop building is located. If I'm right, it's one of the massive Santa Fe RR buildings near Topeka's Oakland neighborhood, right across from Our Lady of Guadeloupe church. Today, there's a road bridge that takes you over the top of the rail yards, so you drive into Oakland at almost the level of those upper windows. I always did want to see what was inside!

(link she posted) http://www.boingboing.net/2011/05/20/1943-color-photo-of.html