W. Somerset Maugham really did not like women, did he?

So far, all of the women we have been introduced to in this novel were either cruel, silly, jealous, full of intrigue, cold, or ugly. 

Mrs. Garstin is even described as the archetypal Lady Macbeth.

The men on the other hand, seem to be far more interesting, complex, well turned out, intelligent, and sensitive, and put-upon by the women in their lives.

I am not expecting to love this book, but I am intrigued enough to find out more about WSM's writing. I haven't read anything by him since high school and this particular book has been on my kindle for years. 

Btw, a quick note to my fellow Agathytes: 

The main character in this is Walter Fane. I wonder if Dame Agatha had read this and liked the name enough to use it again (in Sleeping Murder). 

@elenakincaid1, @Maiadylanauthor, @SM_fiction, #Fantasy, #Ménage, #Romance, 4 out of 5 (very good)

Celia worked as an ER nurse at Mission Hospital . She was the head of intake and there was  a new strain of flu . Celia prayed she didn’t get sick , she couldn’t afford to take the time off. Celia learned early on she was the only one she could trust she had learned that early on as she had been in the foster care system all her life. Celia always assumed the worst of everyone but celia also knew why she odd this. Celia had developed an uncanny knack for blending into the background. Celia was a perpetual extra in life and she ;liked it that way.Celia had been having dreams that scared the the hell out of her so she wasn’t sleeping that well and told Landon who had brought her down to the cafe to grab something to eat and bought it for her as she had gotten dizzy when she stood up as she skipped lunch. Then Landon offered to cook her a meal and bring some wine so maybe she would get a better night’s sleep. It had always been hard for celia to make friends as she seemed to sabotage any starting friendships. She is used to being a loner. Celia working with her patients filled her up, made her happy and gave her the small human interaction that kept her sane. But Monica was different and was her friend. Celia had been in the foster care system all her life. Indris was a member of the ruling Gregori family. It had been three weeks since Idris had started watching Celia and one week since he had been at the club Bite- where humans went to have blood drank from them by a vampire and often had sex and the vampire came for blood-when his brother Athan  had met him and questioned his motives. Celia’s father was head of the Vallerin vampire family who had managed to convince Athan and Idris’s father to go against everything Idris and his brother had been raised to believe in. Indris wanted to hate Celia , to loathe her but he didn’t. Landon wanted Celia Idris could tell by how Landon looked at her and that idris want to slit landon’s throat. The protectiveness and ownership of her had risen inside of Idris like a tidal wave. Celia was a vampire princess- Vallerin’s daughter and therefore a bargaining chip and why Indris was watching that nothing bad happened to her- a dhamper- half human half vampire and they are turned to a full vampire usually by eighteen. Athan and Indris didn’t know if Celia knew about her parentage and she hadn’t. Idris had a penchant for acting before thinking things through and that was why Athan was checking on him. When Indris looked at Celia he felt he had a purpose, what worried him was he didn’t know where that purpose would lead him or Celia. Acelia is attacked and idris saves her and takes her to his underground home to keep her safe. Idris is strongly attracted to Celia and she to him.

I loved this book. I loved how Celia instantly trusted Idris after he saved her life even though he was a vampire. I loved how Celia and Indris interacted with each other.I loved how Celia was willing and did  sacrifice herself for Indris and her sister Amelia. I loved the plot of this book. It kept my interest from beginning to end. I felt so bad when Idris thought Celia was dead when he was forced to drain her. I loved the ending. I loved the action and was glad that Keno got what was coming to him. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend.

In the midst of supernatural chaos, worlds and hearts collide.

Celia: Having never known my parents, I’ve always felt like an orphan. All I want is a normal life. But after I’m attacked in my bedroom by one vampire—and rescued by another—it’s about time to give up on “normal” once and for all. Idris, the second in command of the Gregorie vampire clan, has come to my aid, but his motives for saving me are unclear. And what surprises me most is my attraction to his heated gaze. . . .

Idris: Terror. Curiosity. Arousal. These are the natural impulses of a human female, not the spawn of the ruthless Valarian king. Is it possible that Celia is unaware of her bloodline—and the power coursing through her veins? As the daughter of my archenemy, she was supposed to be my ransom. But how quickly the heat of desire changes everything. Now the family Celia has always craved is trying to kill her, and it’s up to me to save her again—when all I really want to do is make her mine.

Megan Erickson’s thrilling Mission novels can be read together or separately:
BLOOD GUARD | BLOOD VEIL

Blood Veil is a thrilling read with some sexy characters that will take your breath away!

First, let me tell you that I have not read the 1^st book in the series as I somehow missed it (I will be rectifying that asap) and I still really enjoyed Blood Veil but I think that Blood Guard should probably been read first to achieve maximum understanding of Megan Erickson’s very intriguing world. But like I said, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book without reading it, I just think that the events leading up to this character’s book would have helped to get a more complete picture the world and to fully understand what drives the characters.

Now on to my opinion of Blood Veil – Celia and Idris are strong, captivating characters with sizzling chemistry and a heavy-duty attraction that readers can practically feel vibrating from every page, their romance rocky due to some seemingly unresolvable issues and of course the fear of the unknown which draws readers in and keeps them focused on the events throughout the book. The fast paced plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats throughout the book with suspense and thrills and surprising twists that keeps readers guessing and the supporting characters are lively and compelling with some bad guys that makes readers want to shoot them themselves.

Megan Erickson brings her very intriguing world of vampires to life with vivid imagery, fascinating characters and some unique elements that add spice and intrigue to her world which means that I will definitely be coming back for more as I was completely enthralled with this Mission novel.

Blood Veil is the 2^nd book in the Mission series.

The prequel Bite the Hand That Bleeds is free at InstaFreebie if you sign up for Megan Erickson’s Newsletter.

Blood Veil is available in ebook at:

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