Black by Catherine Winters
Series: Josephine #1
Published by Indie
Published on: July 28, 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 201
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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Thirty-year-old redhead Josephine Berendt has everything under control. She's finally over her ex, Max Spencer; her third novel is about to hit the shelves; and she's living happily alone in a quiet Denver suburb. So what if her life is missing a little action? She gets all she needs by writing about vampires - and at least her furniture won't run away to Paris just to prove how much it doesn't love her.
600-year-old businessman Grant Black thinks he's just doing a favor for an old friend by keeping an eye on Josephine and her dangerously accurate storytelling. Keeping out of her life is no trouble at all - until Max shows up on her doorstep with a case of fangs and Grant is forced to meet Josephine in the fearless, foul-mouthed flesh.
Soon Josephine finds herself at the center of an undead incident of international proportions. Now every day is a test of how long she can balance her need for independence with her growing affection for a killer, and stay alive - or, at least, not dead.
Featuring some of the most famous and ruthless vampires from history and literature, BLACK interweaves traditional vampire canons with an entirely new race of vampires with its own laws and mores. Told in Josephine's thoroughly modern voice, the book is a witty, allusive tour of the vampire world's upper echelons and hubs of power.
As an author that writes books about vampires, Josephine Berendt has no idea that vampires actually do exist. So when her ex-boyfriend shows up with a wild story about being a vampire, she really doesn’t believe him. Max broke her heart three years prior and left the country. Coming back out of the blue with a wild story, is not her idea of a fun time needless to say. To make matter worse, he apparently wants her back. This is just the beginning of what becomes quite the adventure for Josephine, and actually not the best adventure.
Although Josephine is an American, her conversations kept veering into the Queen’s English for me, and I pictured her with an accent throughout the whole book. Why? I think it was just the tone of the writing for me-totally reminded me of British mysteries I have read, without the mystery of course. And while we are on the subject of Josephine, I found it hard to connect with her for probably the first third or so, of the book. I wondered about her motivations for some of the things she does, I couldn’t understand why she would willingly get involved with another vampire,(other then extreme lust) and I am not talking about Max. Grant Black is one of the richest men in the world, and probably the richest vampire. He’s good looking to the extreme, and enigmatic to the nth degree. At first I wasn’t doing much connecting with him either, but in the end, I liked him probably better then Josephine. That has everything to do with understanding his motivations. Josephine spends a big part of the book, shooting herself in the foot. She’s in love but she can’t admit to it, and I wanted to give her a good talking to at times.
This is not a feel good vampire book. Josephine is not a very happy person(due to the situations I am sure), she drinks like a fish, has a potty mouth, and a inferiority complex, and Grant is not a nice sparkly vampire. Grant is an admitted killer of a huge amount other vampires, and makes no bones about it. So this is really not a typical paranormal romance. Instead it delves into the intricacies of the politics of the vampire world. The world building by the author was pretty well imagined, especially when the book moves locations from Colorado to England, and the ancient, ruling vampires become part of the story. This is really when I got pulled into the story and kept reading, not because I had to review this, but because I wanted to.
One thing. The book ends without a real ending. So yes, it’s a cliffhanger of sorts. But I have read a lot worse cliffhangers, so it was okay. I think the second one comes out in September,so that is good news.
It was a good solid adult read once I finally got into it. I recommend it to lovers of all things vampire. I can honestly say it was a different sort of read for me.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
An open ended ending with a cliffhanger? Gah! I think I would have to wait until the other book was released before starting this one. It does sound really unusual and interesting though. I will have to watch for the release of the second book and see how you like it. ๐
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Renegade by Cambria Herbert
After I got into it I thought it was worth the read, just different ๐
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Black by Catherine Winters
YEAH! I received an email today.
I LOVE the cover. Simple yet intriguing. Draws me right in. Then I read the blurb and thought, excellent. Your review brought to light some problems I may have with the book too, but it still sounds like one I would like to read.
Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.
sherry fundin recently posted…Worldโs Best Story: Rewarding readers and book bloggers for telling the world they found a great story!
Yes I loved the cover! I hope you like the book!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Black by Catherine Winters
A very simple cover *thinks about it* i approve
blodeuedd recently posted…Book Blog Walkers Weekly Check-in July 25 2014
Yep it is a pretty cover ๐
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Black by Catherine Winters
With all your vampire reads lately, you’ve inspired me to try JKagawa’s YA dystopian series soon. Gosh I can’t remember the last time I read a straight-up vampire book!
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Bought, Borrowed & Bagged #111 + Homeland S4
I have been reading a lot of vampire books lately I know, but am actually reading a werewolf one right now and next up is a YA dystopian by Cameo Renae ๐
Sounds interesting – I do like the concept of writing about vampires, having dated a vampire and not knowing they actually exist ๐ Too bad you didn’t connect to her for a bit – I find it really hard to get into books when I don’t connect to the characters. I am extremely interested in this one though — and a big part is that awesome cover! LOL Great review Lorna ๐
Berls recently posted…What do you do if you arenรขยยt sure itรขยยs spam? | Fun Questions
Thanks! I am interested enough to want to read the next one too. I love the cover too!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Black by Catherine Winters
Ooh, a novel about a writer. Can’t beat that! Not sure why she’d be randomly speaking in the Queen’s English, though!
Stephanie Faris recently posted…The Cephalopod Coffeehouse: Best Book of July
Well that was the only way I knew to describe how the writing made me feel she was talking, not that she was speaking with an English accent-it was just how I pictured her ๐
I love that cover! Not sure about the book though. Some of it sounds really interesting but other parts – not so much. But I would be willing to give it a try because it sounds kind of different for a vampire series. Maybe I’ll wait until closer to September so I can read them back to back.
It’s definitely worth a try ๐ and that cover is pretty great!
Is there a triangle with Max and Owen? This sounds interesting it is too bad you struggled with connecting.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Take Me On by Katie McGarry
No not a triangle ๐ If you like vampires, it was interesting!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Black by Catherine Winters
You sure have me curious about Black, Lorna. I like Vampire reads with a dark edge, so I think I’d like this one. And Grant, I’d like to get to know him ๐ Great review!
Naomi @ Nomiโs Paranormal Palace
Naomi recently posted…Teaser Tuesday #102 โ Tough Luck by C.M. Stunich
Thank you!I hope you enjoy it ๐
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Black by Catherine Winters
The cover looks sooo simple.. and I like it. I love everything vampire and even though I have a feeling that Grant and I will not get along, at least he is no Cullen. ๐ Maybe I’ll give this a try but I might wait for the next book to come out.
Fantastic review, Lorna! You made the book looks so intriguing.
Paula M. recently posted…The Edge of Never by J.A Redmerski a.k.a i’m the odd one again
Thank you! If you like all things vampire then maybe you should try it:)