Destined for Divinity (Book 3 of the Second Trilogy in the Almost Human Series) by Melanie Nowak

Synopsis:
Volume 3 of ALMOST HUMAN ~ The Second Trilogy...DESTINED FOR DIVINITY___ Sindy is a vampiress of little morals and large aspirations...or at least, the old Sindy was. Love and friendship are becoming more important to her now than she ever thought they might. After becoming an accomplice to kidnapping and an agent of betrayal, she would be willing to settle for escaping the tangled web she has woven without getting herself dusted. Felicity is being held for a ransom no one of sound moral conscience should be willing to pay. Coven Master Arif, a vampire whose terrifying talent of mind-control holds her more tightly than chains, wants control of The United One; Alyson. A vampire of great power unlike any other, Alyson is a good friend to Felicity and a dear covenmate of... Cain, a vampire who declared his love for Felicity, but left her to fulfill her dreams of having a human family. Since renouncing his vampiric tendencies, Cain’s existence has been the epitome of self-sacrifice and benevolence. To rescue Felicity, he would have to betray Alyson and endanger the world, an act that would surely torture his conscience for eternity. Perhaps Felicity’s husband Ben can rescue her, but to ensure Felicity’s safety Ben would have to play by Arif’s rules. Is Ben willing to make a deal with the devil to retrieve his wife? Or should he put his differences aside to try and work with Cain, his former rival? Cain may be able to help rescue Felicity, but is he willing to give her up...again? Alyson has never been one to meekly follow others. Is it time for The United One to take a stand of her own? Her blood dictates that it is her divine destiny to rule vampire kind. Maybe it is time to lay down some rules! A battle is sure to ensue...can Alyson protect everyone she loves? Will Felicity survive Arif’s wrath to keep her life...and her humanity, or when all is said and done, will she find herself ALMOST HUMAN?

Review:

Book 3 is the last one in the second trilogy and it's time for Allie to step things up.  She is undoubtedly awesome and has more powers than any other vampire in the world.  But, things get complicated when the guy she accidentally killed shows back up.  Allie had Sindy turn him so that she would feel better and give him a second chance.  Due to her circumstances, she can't change people.  Turns out neither should Sindy.  Zach finds Allie and he has white eyes too.  But Zach ends up being a real problem for her.  And that's before things get really complicated.  Arif has one of his guys abduct Felicity.  It's his objective to get the blood of the United One no matter how he has to do it.  Force has not worked out on several occasions and finesse hasn't worked too well either.  Now he has turned to leverage by taking someone not only close to Cain, but to her as well.  Allie never really wanted to be in a position of power, but it seems like she is going to have to put on her butt kicking boots and storm the castle.  Time to make things right.  As for Sindy, she is being held against her will at Arif's as well, and she is getting a little bit of return for her past evil deeds.  However, the extent of her torture goes beyond even what she deserves, I think.  Arif can be very brutal.  But Sindy finds an unexpected friend, and that helps things.  I have to say, to me, each book just kept getting better and better.  I am fully invested in the Almost Human Series and can't wait to see what the third trilogy will hold.  Personally, I am rooting for Cain to find some solace and hopefully love.  The guy needs it.  As for Felicity, she will probably always love Cain.  But she has Ben too.  Who knows what will happen there?  But it sure seems like she's in for the long haul with Ben.
5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Destined-Divinity-ALMOST-Second-Trilogy/dp/1944303006/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449867377&sr=8-1&keywords=melanie+nowak

Review of Descendant of Darkness (Book 2 of the Second Trilogy in the Almost Human Series) by Melanie Nowak

Synopsis:

ALMOST HUMAN ~ The Second Trilogy Volume 2: Descendant of Darkness Heartbroken and soul searching, the vampire Cain believes he has finally found his purpose. He is mentoring Allie, who is grudgingly coming to terms with the fact that she is unique among vampires... The United One. Together with Allie's husband Mattie, they are working to discover her powers, when the vampiress Sindy returns with some new tricks of her own. Ben and Felicity have tried to leave their past involvements with vampires behind them, settling into human life together, despite having to deal with Ben's vampire hunting father - but is mundane love strong enough to supersede the supernatural? The vampire Elric has sabotaged his master's plans to control The United One more times than for which he can expect to safely escape the consequences. Coven Master Arif knows what he wants, and the guiding forces behind his plan know how to help him get it... If Elric rebels, he could lose his love, but thwart disaster for the human race. Is staying true to the coven in order to save his love, worth the price the world will pay? When you are descended from darkness, is it still possible to reach for the light? In times of peace, prepare for war.

Review:

In book two of the second trilogy in the Almost Human Series by Melanie Nowak, we once again see much of Allie and Mattie's story, along with several other key players.  Ben and Felicity have taken their relationship to the next level and are very happy together.  Felicity will always love Cain, but she loves Ben too, and she has decided she can be happy with a life with him, regardless of the fact that Ben's father is some crazy vampire hunter bent on eliminating every vampire he can find.  And dragging Felicity into all of his secrets and asking that she keep them from Ben.  Cain is mentoring Allie now and she has many talents that keep popping up during the book.  However, her thirst is a serious problem that she kind of keeps from Mattie and Cain.  It reaches a point where Sindy coerces her into trying to drink from humans, just to try it.  Unfortunately, it seems to be the only thing to satiate her thirst better and longer than animals do.  She is forced to lie to Cain and Mattie about her whereabouts from time to time and things get very complicated.  It is no secret that Arif is still after her to join his coven, if only temporarily.  Arif seems to think that Allie will turn into some thirst-crazed evil vampire, and the worse her thirst gets, they can't help but wonder a moment here and there if he might be right.  But Cain doesn't trust Arif and Allie received a warning about joining him from an unlikely source.  Sindy is using her wiles as normal, but is still showing signs of improvement at becoming a better person.  But with her, you never know what angle she's working.  All in all, it's another exciting read from the author!
5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Descendant-Darkness-Almost-Human-2/dp/0982410255/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449866293&sr=8-2&keywords=melanie+nowak

Giveaway!!

I have just pinned a giveaway to the top of my Facebook page for books 1-3 in the Almost Human series by Melanie Nowak.  Be sure to check it out!  Next Friday one person will win an ebook bundle of books 1-3 in the first trilogy!  Winner will be drawn at random.

Giveaway Post:
 https://www.facebook.com/ClaricesBookNook/photos/a.437822892993068.1073741827.370017496440275/819930911448929/?type=3&theater

Review for Born to Blood (Almost Human The Second Trilogy Book 1) by Melanie Nowak

Review:

Born to Blood is the first book in the second Almost Human trilogy by Melanie Nowak.  If you have not ever heard of the series before and are just now checking it out, there are other posts on my page with reviews, blurbs, and links to them on Amazon.  I am very invested in this series after reading this book and can't wait to see what is in store for everyone in the series!  Even though this book is mostly about Mattie and Alyson, we do see some glimpses of Felicity and Ben and of course we see quite a bit of Cain again as well.  Who I didn't expect to see that came as a great surprise?  Cain's sire!!  That was a totally unexpected blow!!  That woman is kind of nuts too.  And she brings company that we don't see much about, but I am betting he turns back up later in the series.  I just wish I knew who this guy was.  As for Ben, we see a new side of him as well.  Gone is the angry, jealous guy who is upset that the girl he likes is dating a vamp.  Cain is gone now and Felicity and Ben have capitalized on the feelings that were there before Cain abruptly showed up in Felicity's life.  Ben is now a caring and tender guy who, although makes some dumb mistakes, does more than enough to mend them.  As for Felicity, I still have to wonder just how deeply her feelings for Cain still run since he is still so present in her thoughts.  The story between Mattie and Alyson is a very intriguing one since Mattie is now Alyson's sire and she has turned up with some unusual talents that make Mattie and even Cain nervous enough to seek out Arif again.  I couldn't agree more that the guy was creepy enough in the first series.  Now, the creep factor sky rockets.  And I have to say that the experiments done by Alyson with her blood are pretty freaky.  All I can say is that you would have to read it to understand and it is nothing I have ever read about in a vampire book before.  Great read!

5 out of 5 stars!!

Synopsis:

ALMOST HUMAN ~ The Second Trilogy Volume 1: Born to Blood 

Alyson used to think that vampires were almost human; that is, until she became one. Finally consenting to be lovingly turned by her boyfriend Mattie, Allie has come to possess traits and powers previously unknown among vampire kind. Now Allie seeks the help of the elder vampire Cain, to discover not only what she is capable of, but why. 

Still healing from heartbreak over Cain, Felicity looked forward to a nice, human relationship, but dating the son of a vampire hunter, and having a psychic bond with one of his prey makes life far from normal. How can Ben and Felicity discover the truths of love when they are forced to live with so many secrets?

Someone has contrived a diabolical plan to control destiny, and blood may not only be the catalyst for change, but also the master of manipulation behind it. Is rebirth as a vampire always at the discretion of an undead sire, or sometimes is one simply born to blood? 


*Haven't read the other books of the series? You can still read this book - it's the first of a trilogy!

*ALMOST HUMAN is a series of successive trilogies, not stand-alone books. Each trilogy is self-contained enough to be read alone as a 3 book set, but the story unfolds chronologically, and the characters do continue from one trilogy to the next. Main storyline closure is in each 3rd book, but there are also story-ties leading from one trilogy to the next in the series. 

*Read free chapters at MelanieNowak.com

Amazon Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Blood-ALMOST-Second-Trilogy/dp/0982410239/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1448686924&sr=8-4&keywords=melanie+nowak

Evolving Ecstasy (ALMOST HUMAN ~ The First Trilogy Book 3) by Melanie Nowak

Review:

Book 3 is the culmination of this particular trilogy and it starts, and stays for a while, in some serious uncertainty as to what exactly Cain and Felicity are going to do.  Not only is there still an angry vampire running around wanting to get Felicity, but the truth about Sindy is now another issue on the table.  The biggest thing for Cain is that he wants Felicity to have a chance at a real life.  Not one like him, hiding in the shadows and the darkness of night, moving often, and never having a real family.  Vampire covens are not exactly families and the rules for their kind are vastly different.  Felicity's friend, Alyson, seems to have no trouble accepting these different rules, but then again she has someone out there she's waiting for.  Sindy begins to show a new side of her; the side that is ready to start being a little nicer to humans and other vampires.  Over the three books, her character growth has been quite a bit and it is interesting to watch that change.  Felicity goes from the naive young girl she was into a stronger and capable woman.  Not necessarily when it comes to kicking vampire butt, but her character in general changes some.  Cain, however, has the most difficult time it seems to me.  Why?  After surviving so long on animal blood, the vampire within is starting to rebel against him because of his recent sampling of other blood besides animal.  This causes a serious problem that he needs to address before he ends up hurting Felicity accidentally.  Talk about a tortured soul, Cain is definitely that.  His way of thinking is vastly different than many vampires and he is constantly trying to make up for his past.  And the end of this book, I hate to say it but for me personally was a cliff hanger.  One of those moments where things kind of click into place as you are also thinking "What the..."  Yep.  It is.  But guess what?  There is a whole other follow-up trilogy after it!  And I confess that I am really looking forward to see what happens.

5 out of 5 stars!  Want to know more about this trilogy?  Check the past two days posts and you will find reviews and links for the first two books!

Blurb:

ALMOST HUMAN ~ The First Trilogy 

In this paranormal fantasy, chapters alternate perspective between a vampire and a young woman, as they join an ensemble cast of characters to navigate difficulties of addiction and desire; perils of zombies and vampires; and struggles with abuse, morality and... college. 


Volume 3: Evolving Ecstasy 

The relationship between Cain and Felicity has crested to a peak that leaves them unsure whether to step back from each other for safety, or jump into a future united in death. 
Felicity is unlike any human Cain has known before. She treats him as an equal; a man worthy of friendship, respect and even… love. She embodies qualities of gentleness and loving trust that he has never found among his own kind. This makes her far more desirable to him than any creature of darkness could ever be. 
The venom of Cain’s bite could protect Felicity from hostile vampires, but it would give him a measure of psychic control over her as well. Would Felicity only accept becoming a vampire, due to his addictive venom, coupled with the foolishness of a young girl in love? 
Perhaps there is a brighter future for her in the human world. Is Cain’s desire for Felicity’s love worth the loss of her life? 

*ALMOST HUMAN is a series of successive trilogies, not stand-alone books. Each trilogy is self-contained enough to be read alone as a 3 book set, but the story unfolds chronologically, and the characters do continue from one trilogy to the next. Main storyline closure is in each 3rd book, but there are also story-ties leading from one trilogy to the next in the series. 

*For series updates and previews, visit: MelanieNowak.com

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C402G0?keywords=melanie%20nowak&qid=1447454663&ref_=sr_1_6&s=digital-text&sr=1-6

Lost Reflections (ALMOST HUMAN ~ The First Trilogy Book 2) by Melanie Nowak

Review:

Lost Reflections is the second book in the Almost Human Series, the first trilogy.  Due to Felicity and Cain's relationship becoming ever closer, Ben keeps getting nastier and nastier about it.  Cain decides that he should tell her about his very long past, and for two nights he explains in detail about his former life when he was a human and then after he turned into a vampire.  It is enough to give Felicity quite a shock and she has to really digest what he has done and wonder to herself whether people really change or not.  After all, Cain is over 300 years old.  And then there is the addictive quality of the venom in his kiss and bite.  Felicity no doubt likes it, and that is what it's supposed to do.  But Cain doesn't really wanting the venom clouding their relationship.  But in his mind, he can already see where things were headed because he has been there before.  Felicity is his beloved, but he can't seem to let her go.  And she doesn't want to.  But certain events begin to change things.  Vampires get angry and vengeful while others change for the better.  We start seeing some subtle changes in the vampire Sindy that are for the better.  But this sparks issues of its own.

Another 5 star read!  Want to learn about book 1?  Well, there is a previous post from yesterday for that too!  And stay tuned, because tomorrow we will be doing a little discussion on the last book in this trilogy!

Blurb:

ALMOST HUMAN ~ The First Trilogy

In this paranormal fantasy, chapters alternate perspective between a vampire and a young woman, as they join an ensemble cast of characters to navigate difficulties of addiction and desire; perils of zombies and vampires; and struggles with abuse, morality and... college.


Volume 2: Lost Reflections

Felicity has helped her friends to escape the venomous vixen Sindy, but cannot divine the motives of Cain, the vampire who captured first her gratitude, and then her heart.

She finds the historical account of Cain’s past enthralling and frightening. Now she must determine whether the addictive venom in Cain’s kiss is clouding her judgment, and if his thirst for her blood is a driving force too strong for their love to conquer. 

It’s difficult to contemplate such questions while under the attack of a vengeful vampire and his zombie slaves. Felicity’s heart has already been lost to Cain; will she lose her life as well?


*ALMOST HUMAN is a series of successive trilogies, not stand-alone books. Each trilogy is self-contained enough to be read alone as a 3 book set, but the story unfolds chronologically, and the characters do continue from one trilogy to the next. Main storyline closure is in each 3rd book, but there are also story-ties leading from one trilogy to the next in the series.

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C3XS4O?keywords=melanie%20nowak&qid=1447450358&ref_=sr_1_8&s=digital-text&sr=1-8

Fatal Infatuation (ALMOST HUMAN ~ The First Trilogy ~ Volume 1) by Melanie Nowak

Review:

   Let's begin with a good look at the characters in this book.  Our leading lady is Felicity and she has just started college.  Young and naive, she doesn't know much about the real world out there and has never even done the deed with a guy.  She works at a bookshop that has an attached cafe.  Ben is a guy she works with at the cafe and she is interested in at the beginning.  That is, until reality comes crashing down in a rather harsh way when she's attacked by some vampires along with Ben on her way home from work soon after arriving at school.  Turns out that Ben knew there was a vampire problem in the little town.  Enter Felicity's hero, Cain.  Talk about bad boy.  This guy is not only awesome at fighting them off, but he has the air of a true gentleman.  It's bad enough that Felicity finds herself crushing hard on the guy.  Then she's told he's a vamp.  Well, that shakes things up a bit, but nevertheless, she is determined to see past that and finds someone she wants to spend more time with.  Cain can't seem to help himself either when it comes to the beautiful Felicity.  Ben, however, is not nice at all.  The guy has a real hatred of vamps and let's Cain know it every chance he can get.  Ben's seems like one of those shallow college guys only looking for one thing.  As the story progresses, Ben and Felicity seem to constantly be in danger of Sindy, the local vampire causing trouble.  Accustomed to getting what she wants, she finds herself continually rebuffed by Cain.  Now, Cain is not like other vampires.  He lives mostly off of animal blood and travels around trying to teach other vampires how to live more peacefully with humans instead of mercilessly slaughtering them.  
   I have to say, the story drew me in like a moth to a flame.  And the thing was that I became rather invested.  After all, sometimes you just have to know what's going to happen next.  I assure you, it's not boring in any way!  I did find several very interesting elements to this story, including the role of crosses and holy water, Cain's sheer determination when it comes to Felicity, and Alyson since she is a real person of interest at this point.  Great read!

5 out of 5 stars!

(come back tomorrow for an account of the next book in the series!)

Blurb:

ALMOST HUMAN ~ The First Trilogy 
In this paranormal fantasy, chapters alternate between a vampire and a young woman, as they join an ensemble cast to navigate difficulties of addiction and desire; perils of zombies and vampires; and struggles with abuse, morality and... college. 


Volume 1: Fatal Infatuation 
Felicity views going away to college as an opportunity to mature into a confident young woman, but her new beginning turns out to be more of an adventure than she bargains for when she finds that her school is plagued by vampires! 
Cain is an elder vampire who displays quiet confidence even as he struggles to overcome sins of his past. Surprisingly, he found that in losing his life he gained his faith and a purpose. 
His mission: find the hostile vampires that inhabit this small college town, and educate them to live in peace with humans. Their leader, Sindy, is a wicked temptress who has set her sights on Felicity's new friend Ben. She will be difficult to control, but after meeting Felicity, Cain's most difficult task lies in controlling himself. 

*ALMOST HUMAN is a series of successive trilogies, not stand-alone books. Each trilogy is self-contained enough to be read alone as a 3 book set, but the story unfolds chronologically, and the characters do continue from one trilogy to the next. Main storyline closure is in each 3rd book, but there are also story-ties leading from one trilogy to the next in the series. *For series updates, visit: MelanieNowak.com

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Infatuation-ALMOST-HUMAN-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B001C3ZTXC/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1447449203&sr=1-5&keywords=melanie+nowak