Author: Avery Sterling
Title: The Cardinalis Code
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 21, 2020
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: BookSmith Design
@HotTreePromos, @Archaeolibrary, @debbiereadsbook,
What if vampires were a superior species and nearly undetectable? As successful, influential individuals, vampires live under a strict set of rules created by their government, The Cardinalis Order. Are you ready to understand what it means to break The Cardinalis Code?
When successful business entrepreneur Michael Chamberlain arrives in The Hamptons to take over his father’s nightclub, he’s in search of a new donateur, a contracted blood source. Troubled and distant, Michael discovers he’s still very much alive when enticed by a beautiful woman, offering a kiss and a question: Can you be mine for five minutes?
Student Paislee Sullivan serves at the prestigious nightclub to pay her tuition. When she meets the mysterious Michael Chamberlain, who she believes to be just a gorgeous bartender with an attitude, she soon discovers her world is ruled by a species not of her own.
Wealth and glamour shroud a dark side that threatens her life when she signs Michael’s contract. In this steamy romance, two lovers wield a charming relationship that will be destroyed by the Order if she breaks just one rule.
5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
So, there I was, merrily reading away. Enjoying this book, not a 5 star read, but a very good solid four star. Some minor typos, but they might be cos of the changing file thing. A good solid 4 star read, that piqued my interest enough to keep going.
And then, in the VERY last chapter, followed by the EPILOGUE, it all changed!
I mean, it made the whole bloody book flip on it's head! And it's gonna be really REALLY hard not to write spoilers into this review, so if it's vague, I ain't sorry!
Paislee takes a job as a blood donor, a donateur for Michael, a Cardinalis, (not EVER a vampire!) When Michael's vicious half brother takes a shine to Paislee, things become deadly, both for Paislee and Michael. Then The Order become involved and Michael has a fight on his hands to keep Paislee safe, and more importantly, to keep her HIS.
Like I said, plodding along, nicely. Moving at speed in places, and little slower in others. Sexy at points, but deadly in others. Sufficiently different in the 'vampire' (Sorry, Michael!) lore to be interesting. These guys don't combust in the sun or sparkle, either! They have a usual sleep pattern, they eat food. So, I enjoyed all that.
Both Michael and Paislee have a say, as do a couple of other characters.
The story concludes, or so I thought, in a way I expected it to, mostly. Michael's brother doesn't quite get the ending I was expecting but still. It all comes to a head and is wrapped up nicely.
THEN!
Michael's mother says something, and the doctor says something and then the doctor says something else and . . . . .cliff hanger people! I mean a proper, spit you dummy out, throw your toys out the pram and throw your kindle at the wall so hard it bounces off and scares the cat! I had to double back a couple of times, to reread what was said by whom, to put the pieces together, and still I have no bloody idea what's going on!
So, for a first book . . .very well played Ms Sterling! For a first in series, because there is much unfinished here, very well played. For that bloody cliff hanger . . .
5 full and shiny stars!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Avery grew up in a military family and traveled extensively. Fortunately, her books could travel anywhere with her. She adored romances as a teen and read whatever ones she could get her hands on. When she was sixteen, she decided to create her own love story, inspired by all the authors she’d been reading. She discovered her passion for writing and continued building her craft throughout the years while traveling as a military wife. Avery finally settled in a small town in Maine and decided to actively pursue her dream of becoming a published author, to share her stories with others in hopes they would love them as much as she did.
She’s served tables, worked drive-thru, modeled, attended AIMT in Kailua to learn massage therapy and energy work, even owned her own shop, making candles, soap, and other natural beauty products. She’s dabbled in a variety of things, but her love for a good romance never wavered.
Avery’s usually hanging out with her family, drinking coffee, and listening to music. If you don’t find her there, she’s staring out the window, swept up in another world. Avery feels strongly that every romantic journey she creates should have elements of adventure, sweet banter, danger, tension, gripping content —and of course, all that steamy romance! Her desire is to bring the reader along for a wild ride that leaves them breathless.
Tour organised by: Hot Tree Promotions
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