Review + Giveaway: Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter

Blood in Her Veins
Author: Faith Hunter
Reviewer: B.
Rating: A-

What I’m Talking About:

Although my initial experience with the Jane Yellowrock series was something of a challenge, it has since become one of my all-time favorites. As much as the series has grown, novel by novel, there has always been room for more: the personal history of the characters, the addition of a curtain call for some of the stories, contributions to other anthologies, and so on. With the publication of Blood in Her Veins, Ms. Hunter has been remarkably generous in her willingness to give her readers what they’ve asked for by gathering all of these glimpses into Jane’s world in one place.

Having already seen some of these short stories, I was very excited to be able to read them all together. Each one serves a specific purpose, including giving fans of the series the opportunity to witness events from other characters’ perspectives, providing background information and clues to why they are the way they are, as well as offering insight into Jane’s own emotions and development, thereby making her even more intriguing. While plenty of Ms. Hunter’s characters take the stage in Blood in Her Veins, I was particularly fond of the scenes told from Bruiser’s point of view. As a long-term Bruiser supporter, I found these to be an especially nice treat.

Not just another compilation, Blood in Her Veins showcases two new stories by Ms. Hunter, Cat Fight and Bound No More. In Cat Fight, Jane is once again obligated to visit Bayou Oiseau, Louisiana to broker another agreement between the local witches and vampires (since the first one apparently didn’t stick). I found nearly all of these characters to be highly entertaining, especially given their collective ability to shift between humorous and a little terrifying with whiplash-inducing rapidity. Throw in a disturbingly adept mud demon—thing—and this story was a lot of fun.

In Bound No More, Jane’s beloved god-daughter, “Angie Baby,” proves that she’s much more powerful than anyone has ever suspected, and far too powerful for her own good. Although Jane & Co. have a monster to fight, I found the true horror to be Jane and Molly’s easily justifiable fear of the predatory groups would seek to use Angelina’s gifts for their own purposes. This story has quite a few sweet moments as well, however, and might be one of my favorites to date.

Blood in Her Veins is an excellent companion to the Jane Yellowrock series, and would be a nice addition to any fan’s bookshelf. Although most of these stories can be found in other places, having them all together, along with two brand new stories, elevates this publication to something of a collector’s item. All of my favorite characters had a part or several to play, including Molly and the Younger brothers, and a few lingering questions were answered. While I wasn’t able to acquire a print copy by the time of this review, it’s high on my list of titles to purchase for myself as soon as possible. This is definitely one to keep.

My Rating:  A- Enjoyed A Lot

About the Book:

In this must-have collection of stories, experience nineteen thrilling adventures from the world of vampire-hunter Jane Yellowrock, including many fan favorites and two all-new novellas. Read about the first time Jane put the pedal to the metal in The Early Years, and the last thing a werewolf will ever see as Jane delivers justice in Beneath a Bloody Moon. Get a searing look into the pasts of some of the series best-loved characters: Beast in WeSa and the Lumber King, Rick LaFleur in Cat Tats, and Molly Everhart Trueblood in Haints.

In the brand-new Cat Fight, the witches and vampires of Bayou, Oiseau, are at war over a magical talisman and Jane must figure out how to keep the mysterious artifact out of the covetous hands of the Master of New Orleans. And in the never-before-published Bound No More, Jane welcomes a visit from Molly and her daughter, Angie, who is about to prove she s the most powerful witch in Everhart history….

From the Big Easy to the bad bayou, from the open road to a vampire’s lair—with Jane Yellowrock, it’s always a given: have stakes, will travel.

Release Date: February 2, 2016
Publisher: ROC
Series: Jane Yellowrock
ISBN: # 978-0451475756
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Format(s): paperback (560 pages), e-book
Book Source: NetGalley/Publisher

Purchase Info:
Amazon : B&N : IndieBound : The Book Depository : BAM : iBooks

(SHADOW RITES, book 11 in the Jane Yellowrock series, is coming out in April 2016. Pre-order now!)

Reviews in the Series:
Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #3)
Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #4)
Death’s Rival by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #5)
Blood Trade by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #6)
Black Water by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #6.5)
Black Arts by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #7)
Broken Soul by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #8)
Dark Heir by Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock #9)
Kicking It Anthology edited by Faith Hunter and Kalayna Price

Giveaway:

The publisher is generously donating one (1) copy of Blood in Her Veins to one (1) lucky commenter. Please leave a comment telling us your favorite UF heroine and/or series, along with a contact email or twitter address, to enter. The giveaway is open until Friday February 5 at 12:00 PM (noon) EST. Winner(s) chosen at random from all eligible entries. This contest is open to U.S. mailing addresses, only, where not prohibited by law. P.O. boxes are not eligible. Open to participants, 18 years or older, who are legally allowed to participate in such a contest as allowed by their local laws. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. By participating in the contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of the contest sponsor. Prize will be delivered by the publisher. This blog, its reviewers, and the owner are not responsible for items lost in the mail. By entering this giveaway, participants agree to abide by these terms.

Additionally, Faith Hunter has a $25 Starbucks gift card for one (1) commenter who comments on all the blogs who’re hosting the story parts (i.e. guest post stops). Blog tour schedule is here: http://www.ltpromos.com/2016/01/04/faith-hunters-blood-in-her-veins-blog-tour/

About the Author:

Faith Hunter, fantasy writer, was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. She writes three Urban Fantasy series:  the Skinwalker series, featuring Jane Yellowrock, a Cherokee skinwalker who hunts rogue vampires. The Soulwood series, featuring earth magic user Nell Ingram. And the Rogue Mage novels, a dark, urban, post-apocalyptic, fantasy series featuring Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage. (There is a role playing game based on the series, ROGUE MAGE.)

Under the pen name Gwen Hunter, she writes action-adventure, mysteries, and thrillers. As Faith and Gwen, she has 30+ books in print in 29 countries.

Hunter writes full-time, tries to keep house, and is a workaholic with a passion for travel, jewelry making, white-water kayaking, and writing. She and her husband love to RV, traveling with their rescued Pomeranians to whitewater rivers all over the Southeast.

Find Faith online at www.faithhunter.net, her blog, on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads; also www.yellowrocksecurities.com, and www.gwenhunter.com.