International Giveaway and Interview with Bella Forrest, author of A Shade of Vampire

Goodreads Book Description: On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.

A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.  She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
 
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.
 
Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
 
Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review: I was asked by the author to read and review this book.

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest is a novella about Sofia, a teenaged human girl, and Derek, the leader of vampires. This story is told in alternating viewpoints between these characters. Initially, I was worried that I wouldn't like this book because the beginning is pretty stereotypical of the "classic" vampire story. Then once Sofia is captured by Lucas, Derek's evil brother, and Derek wakes up from an enchanted sleep, things start really getting interesting. We get introduced to their lair, and the hint of danger from the outside Shadowhunters as well as the danger to Sofia on the inside. Derek finds Sofia intriguing and different from any other girl he's ever met, and Sofia too starts to realize that he is more than just a vampire. Mix in a best friend that Sofia once had unrequited love for, and you got some great twists.

I really enjoyed reading particularly Derek's perspective. It was neat seeing someone who has woken up from a 400 year enchanted sleep and start to learn basic knowledge of current events. I thought that Sofia and Derek's relationship as well done, and the world building was intriguing. The pacing was good once I reached the 20% mark. Readers should beware that the beginning is a bit slow, but to keep on reading.

The one thing I would have suggested would be to make this a full length novel. I think we could have learned more about the Shadowhunters and maybe seen one in action. Right now, it just doesn't make any sense why they are so terrified by these people (are they even people?). It would likely still need to be a trilogy to fit all the lore and plot twists, but I think more could have been explored.

That said, it was a fun first installment in this series, and I'm interested to see what Forrest has up her sleeve next for these characters.





A Shade of Vampire available now from Amazon:

USA, paperback:
http://www.amazon.com/Shade-Of-Vampire-Bella-Forrest/dp/1481280767
USA, eBook: http://www.amazon.com/A-Shade-Of-Vampire-ebook/dp/B00AOHDMFE

UK, paperback:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shade-Of-Vampire-Bella-Forrest/dp/1481280767
UK, eBook: http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Shade-Of-Vampire-ebook/dp/B00AOHDMFE

Connect with Bella:

Like on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashadeofvampire
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AShadeOfVampire

Add on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/17158457-a-shade-of-vampire
Follow Bella’s Blog: http://bellaforrest.blogspot.com


Author Interview
1) Why vampires?
I find their interactions with humans fascinating to write about and explore.

2) How many installments are you planning for the series?
I'm not sure exactly at this point, but I think at least 3 installments.

3) Who is your favorite character and why?
I've been torn between Derek and Sofia. But I'll probably have to go with

Derek because he's the most interesting to write about.

4) What is your favorite all time YA read, and what was your favorite
read of the past year?
That's a tough question because there are so many books I love. But I'll

go with Harry Potter.

My favorite read of the past year...well I'm still reading it actually:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is probably going to be my favorite.

5) What do you have in store for Sofia and Derek in the next book without giving too much away?
There will be some twists and turns that will likely be quite shocking for

readers...that's about all I can say at this point!

And now... for an excerpt of the book!

Excerpt from A Shade of Vampire

I’d been walking along the sea shore for about an hour when I suddenly sensed that I wasn’t alone. Someone was approaching me from behind. My heart leapt. I was so sure it was Ben, that when a stranger showed up beside me, I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

He must have noticed, because a smirk formed on his lips. “Were you expecting someone else, love?”

I eyed him suspiciously, remembering how many times my father told me not to talk to strangers. I looked him over from head to foot, taking in his appearance. I held my breath. I couldn’t find words to describe how fine a man he was. He was almost beautiful. The first thing I took notice of was how his blue eyes were about three shades brighter than any I’d ever seen before. It was such a stark contrast to his pale – almost white – skin and his dark hair. I next noted how he was easily more than half a foot taller than I was. His height, broad shoulders and lean build reminded me of Ben, but he had a presence that was far more imposing than my best friend’s.

My gaze settled on his face.

I realized that he was inspecting me just as closely as I was him. His eyes on me suddenly made me feel uncomfortably vulnerable. I gave my father’s advice a second thought, but quickly canceled out all notions of heeding to his counsel when I reminded myself that he stopped caring a long time ago. I straightened to my full height and mustered all the courage I had to keep myself from running away from this stranger.

Big mistake.

The confident smirk didn’t leave his face for even a moment. “Like what you see?”

I frowned, annoyed by his audacity. “A bit full of yourself, aren’t you?”

He stepped forward, closer to me, and leaned his head toward mine. “Don’t I have the right to be?”

He knew he looked good and wasn’t about to act like he didn’t.

“Whatever,” was my oh-so-brilliant comeback.

My shoulders sagged with defeat as I took a step back, overwhelmed by how close he was. I rolled my eyes and did a one-eighty, not quite in the mood to play whatever game this stranger was proposing.

I would soon realize that I was about to play his game whether I liked it or not. He grabbed my arm and turned my body to face him. The motion alone made every single internal alarm I had go off in a frenzy.

This man was danger and I knew it. I tried to wriggle away from his touch, but I was no match for his strength.

“Tell me your name,” he commanded.

I was about to refuse, but was horrified to find myself blurting out my name in response. “Sofia Claremont.”

He traced his thumb over my jaw line. “Hello, Sofia Claremont. You’re one stupid girl for taking a walk alone at this time of night. You never know what kind of evil a pretty little thing like you could happen to come by.”

I found myself wondering exactly what kind of evil he was. But I was suddenly overcome by the sensations that were surrounding me. My senses took everything in at once. I heard the waves, felt the sand beneath my feet, smelled the ocean salt, tasted the flavor of cherry on my lips and saw the stranger’s manic appearance as he stuck a needle to my neck. The effect was instant. I was barely able to gasp, much less scream. I went from sensing everything to sensing absolutely nothing.

My last conscious thought was that I may never see Ben again.

Enter to win this book-- either a signed copy OR one of two e-copies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway