A pretty enjoyable shifter romance about Lucas Blacque, a very closeted werewolf who struggles with balancing increased responsibilities for his pack just as hes starting an illicit affair with his hot vampire neighbor Oliver Bleu.
Blacque doesnt think he can have both worlds, and expects to spend a long lonely life as his packs future alpha, but his want for Bleu cant stay buried, especially when outside threats come calling.
What I liked: The MCs were interesting and sympathetic, Even though hes a big muscly martyr, I liked Blacque a lot, and appreciated his slow crumble under Bleus determined seduction.
I also liked Bleu, and how he struggled to survive against the nightmares that drained him, and how both he and Blacque took on the roles of caring for each other.
What was hard for me: I wasnt so much a fan of the angst separating our heroes for a goodof the book as Blacque stayed clear because he thought he had to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of the pack.
This kind of slowed the pace down overall for me and made the book more of a slog, Im glad things worked out in the end and everyone got their very much earned HEA, but by that time, I didnt feel super connected to the characters and didnt have that deep feeling of catharsis or relief after a hard battle was won.
It was a nice read, and I liked the town of Arcada and how it serves as a haven for different kinds of beings though.
If you like shifter stories, you may dig this one a lot, but in the end, it was just an okay read for me.
I hear good things about the sitelinknext in the series though, so am interested in checking that out.
So, this book has been in my library for a while, and I haven't been able to get into the story, but I gave it one more try and made it through.
This is not a bad book as such, BUT the names lord the names! Total frenchcheesefest, . . I could not get my brain to ignore the associations to french/danish cheese and that sort of ruined the sexyness factor for me.
I haven't read the other books in the series, and I can't decide if that's why this book didn't suck me in.
. .
I liked Lucas and Oliver well enough thankfully their first names were used sometimes, to get away from the pictures of cheese BUT the reason for Oliver's insomnia and Lukas' sudden rise to Alpha, came out of the blue Bleu HEH!
The worldbuilding was sparse again I can't be sure if it's because I haven't read the other books and I had some issues with Dane, randy old werewolf with spawn EVERYWHERE he made it kind of hard to sympathize with Lukas, because Lukas let him manipulate him.
Yeah I don't know, not a bad book, but not a great book either, I can't really put my finger on it.
I loved this book, Its about an ailing vampire and a depressed werewolf who come together and find that they are perfect soul mates.
I was expecting Bleu to be weird and creepy and Blacque to be harsh and scary with his many tattoos and piercings.
But they were so sweet and kind to each other, The two complimented each so well they were just, . . perfect.
Oh, man, were Blacque and Bleu hot together! I will never look at another heavy bag the same way again! It was definately interesting reading a story about a sexually submissive alpha.
Even the secondary characters were great, Drusilla, Dane, and April. I even ended up respecting Michella in the end,
I love this world that McBride has created with the vamps, weres, witches, fae, gremlins and who knows what else.
I am impatiently waiting for the sequel!! At/in the story: "oh, no! I'm sure I'm never gonna finish it"
At/: "yeah, ok interesting"
At/: "this is so waouh.
. . "
Halfway in the story: "Blacque is so, . . and Bleu is ! sighs" I'm at loss for words
Then I couldn't put it down,
I had hard time understanding the characters in the beginning, But they grow on you slowly, stealthily, A captivating and well written story with beautiful characters!
Great read,.I really really enjoyed this story!
Blacque amp Bleu seem to be your average run of the mill average joe.
but oh no! These two guys are big bad alphas on the outside but are selfless, loving amp totally loyal down where it counts.
sitelinkBelinda McBride gave a new spin at least to me on the whole vampire thing and it was definitely working for this story.
There were some twists, secondary characters that you want to learn more about amp HOTT mixed species sexin', All of those things make one awesome story!
I just found out there is another book after this one amp I can't wait to read it! to come What a fabulous novel by Ms.
Belinda : It truly is a book that is perfect for Coming Out Day, because it portrayed not only a man's struggle to accept himself as who he was, but also how that same man defined himself as a man to others, and still be gay, and live his life with no regrets.
The burgeoning love story between Blacque amp Bleu was sensual, hot, nailbiting, and did portray a D/s relationship that portrayed trust and love in your partner.
Even though Bleu the vampire was one of the undead, the depth of his emotions, his caring, and his conscience was wonderful to read.
The secondary characters were strong, the angst was balanced perfectly with the sex scenes, and Bleu was, . . SIGH!! Those eyes of his I could honestly drown in them, . .
Without planning to do this, Blacque went from sacrificing himself for the sake of his sister and the pack, to realizing his true role as alpha to his pack, and a sub to Bleu's Dom characteristics.
Now there's a balance for you!!! Priceless :D Brava, Ms, Belinda!!! I can't wait to read more from you : I loved this book, absolutely everything about it, I'd been hankering for a shifter read and was so fortunate to find this one didn't only get my were fix, but a bonus vamp, too.
Blacque is such a multidimensional character, not your typical shifter though he is strong and loyal and proud, he is also emotional and loving and compassionate.
He hooked me from the start and then I met Bleu and he tore at my heartstrings right away, such a broken, yearning shell of a man.
I could just feel his pain right from the beginning, The two of them together make a romantic, sexy, passionate pair the sex is hot but also the way they have both cared for each another for so long, neither one sure about making the first move, both wanting more than just sex from their first moment together.
The first time they had actual sex was so emotional and realistic the socalled bloodsucking monster guiding the powerful, socalled sexuallypromiscuous through the process with gentleness and care.
It was a beautiful
scene for me, and sealed the fate of the characters and for me,
I loved the town that Belinda created, all the magic and mystery, The supporting characters were interesting and caring and annoying all at the same time, I loved the pack dynamics, the whole need fresh blood thing that fueled Blacque's angst when it came to Bleu.
He was so strong in his commitment to a pack he really didn't have much to do with in the first place, such a loyal son whether his father and the pack deserved it or not.
Bleu's circumstances were no better, succumbing to harsh and torturous memories in such a way he just wished for eternal release.
The pain he went through broke my heart, the freezing and inability to snap himself from the nightmares, Obviously, I'm an angst junkie and his fueled my fire,
One of my fave parts is after the big were challenge, Blacque showed everyone his strength and power but at the same time, he showed his compassion and love for Bleu in claiming him.
It was a great moment and it kind of took my breath away for a minute, I was so proud of him, so proud of them both, I won't keep going on and on, but will just say, yeah, loved this book, and I'm really hoping this isn't the last we'll see of Blacque and Bleu.
begs a little Stars for a sweet and steamy about two paranormal males falling in love in each other.
Lovely done with an enjoyable suspense part,
You know that excitement feeling that always comes when you near the end of a really great book.
It have been such a good reading and you love it all, It creeps all over the body of enjoyment and you do not want it to end, Blacque/Blue made me feel that way and it's a very good sign for me,
Lukas Blacque is mostly satisfied with his own lives, He has his own business a garage, a house in the country and a sister he loves, He has also managed to distance himself just enough from his father, the alphaleader, and the werewolfpack, But there is a big concern the realization that he probably is gay, something that wolves "can't" be and a sex preference the pack will not accept.
The neighbor, Oliver Bleu, is a vampire who looks more tired and sicker every day.
Blue can't sleep enough and feel bad by the horrible nightmares from the olden times, He suffers from insomnia. He is hungry and weak,
Blacque has long yearned and dreamed of touching and being with Bleu, but he is too afraid of them sentiments to take the first step.
One evening the two meet at a bar and a love story begins, Strong desire and big emotions, sex and heat, They get a weekend but then must Blacque choose the love for Bleu or the responsibilities and duties of the pack's future and security
sitelink
Blacque/Bleu is a tender story about love between two "suffering" men, which is, I think, very nicely described.
It's also a wonderful story about how these two men will find room for each other in their lives, feer for prejudices etc.
The suspense part, the power struggle in the wolf pack and enemies from the past, is also well written and makes this an overall very lovely and entertaining novel to read.
I think the story becomes a little weaker in the second half, but the first half was a very big pleasure to read.
The author's ability to write about the emotions between the large male tattooed, but virgin, werewolf and the stylish och more experienced, but pale and hungry, vampire, were unusually well and emotionally described.
I loved this story and I want to read more books by the author,
I LIKE will read the next book in the series,
I received this book for free in exchange to write a few lines of my thoughts about the book.
Amazing this was such an awesome read!!
I didn't want it to end!! I loved everything about it, and still want more!!!
I can't wait to read more of belindas work this has to be one of my fave paranormal books:D If I were to divide this book in three parts, it would be as such:
First comes the hotterthatthepitsofhell, sizzling, allconsumingday affair.
I mean let's face it, we're talking about a MALE WEREWOLF and a MALE VAMPIRE here.
Then, Blacque, the werewolf is expected to assume his responsibilities as heir to the alpha, and eventually find a mate and reproduce.
You know what this means right
So after fruitlessly trying to stay away from each other, surviving pack conspiracies and vampire obsessions you get what you've bargained for, lustfully and lovefully ever after.
Thats when the realization hit Bleu, His need wasnt for blood or sex or even companionship, His need was for his soul matethe person who justified his very long existence,
Lukas Blacque.
He might not ever have the big wolf again, but hed never be able to leave him either.
image error No world building and a flat relationship make for a boring book.
The "cuteness" of the matching names was distracting, I kept getting the two MCs mixed up, even though one was a wolf shifter and the other a vamp, which speaks to the lack of character development.
Extra star for Lucas' various piercings, Lukas Blacque is a deeply closeted werewolf, and almost more than anything in life, he desires his neighbor, Oliver Bleu.
Oliver is a vampire who is slowly dying from insomnia, More than anything, he needs Lukas Blacque and the rich blood that flows through his veins,
On the day that Blacque makes an important commitment to his family and pack, he also succumbs to temptation and agrees to a passionate weekend with the alluring vampire.
At sunset on Friday, it's all about urgent lust and the drive to lose his virginity, When the sun rises on Monday, lust has shifted to love and devotion, He's not sure he can walk away, even for the commitment he's made, He's even less sure Bleu will let him go,
In Blacque's world, vampires and werewolves make uneasy bedfellows, and a gay werewolf is an impossibility, In Bleu's world, all living creatures are little more than vessels for food and sex, But in the mysterious and magical town of Arcada, the unexpected is always waiting right around the corner, Now Blacque and Bleu just need to survive long enough for Arcada's magic to work for them,
Publisher's Note: Blacque/Bleu is related to Chrysalis and Mad at the Moon, which were published by Changeling Press.
This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Bondage, domination, male/male sexual practices, violence.
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