Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who’d get
married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered
that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an
ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae.
Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the
sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.
When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over
to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I’ve learned
about myself, I know I have the power to get it….
MacKayla Lane’s ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed
on Ireland’s shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and
ancient secrets.
In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh-a million-year-old
book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both
the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by
mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between
two deadly and irresistible men: V’lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn
sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable
Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.
For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans.
Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that
stands between them….

Bloodfever is the 2nd book in the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.

I liked Bloodfever a lot. It’s not my fave book in the series but I think KMM does a great job of moving the series forward and keeps my interest going strong. Where Barrons is concerned? O. My. He ‘s written in such a way that I don’t know whether he’s a good guy or not, but quite frankly I don’t give a damn. He’s a man of mystery in the best sense of the word. Mac doesn’t know whether or not to trust him either, but she does learn that for whatever reason he will protect her.

One of my fave things is when Barrons and Mac have their wordless, eyes only conversations. We get a better peek into what they want to say, but won’t. It’s a very clever plot device that KMM does very well. It becomes increasingly clear that whether or not she wants to admit it…and she doesn’t…Mac has more than just an interest in working with Jericho to retrieve the Sinsar Dubh. Uh-huh…there’s some major attraction going on between the two of them. Of course neither of them wants to admit it outright, but near the end of the book we finally get to see a little action happen. I would’ve liked more…a lot more…but I’ll take what I can get. I gotta warn those who haven’t read the books that there is major UST through most of the series. Will you finally get the release you need?!? Well…you’ll just have to read it.

I also love the antagonism that occurs anytime Barrons and V’lane are around each other. These 2 verbally spar with perfection. They both want Mac’s help, but there’s more to it between the two of them than that. It’s obvious that there’s a long standing tension going on. That’s good for us as readers. It makes things just that much more interesting.

Speaking of V’lane…Admittedly, I am a Barrons gurl through and through. However, don’t think that I’m impervious to the charms of this Faery Prince. I would be more than ok if he wanted to whisk me off to Faeryland, and have his way with me. I’d fight him off at first of course…NOT! He’s got lots of secrets that I’d love to pry out of him while laying on that glorious beach drinking…Well, Sex on the Beach seems an appropriate libation to slake my thirst with…Non?!?

So…to recap…lots of tensions…UST…mystery and intrigue…Yup, Bloodfever has it all and more.

There are a ton of great passages in this book. I’m going to share some of my faves…

“I was about to look away when he reached across the seat, touched my jaw with his long, strong, beautiful fingers, and caressed my face.
Being touched by Jericho Barrons with kindness makes you feel like you must be the most special person in the world. It’s like walking up to the biggest, most savage lion in the jungle, lying down, placing your head it its mouth and, rather than taking your life, it licks you and purrs.”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“I couldn‘t tell the difference between the two of you anymore!” he roared.

I smashed my fist into his face. Lies roll off us. It‘s the truths we work hardest to silence.

Then you weren‘t looking hard enough! I‘m the one with boobs!”

I know you‘re the one with boobs!They‘re in my fucking face every fucking time I turn around!”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“His hand was on my throat, and he was crushing me back with his body into the cold steel beam behind me. “Yes, I have loved, Ms. Lane, and although it‘s none of your business, I have lost. Many things. And no, I am not like any other player in this game and I will never be like V‘lane, and I get a hard-on a great deal more often than occasionally.” He leaned fully against me and I gasped.

“Sometimes it‘s over a spoiled little girl, not a woman at all. And yes, I trashed the bookstore when I couldn‘t find you. You‘ll have to choose a new bedroom, too. And I‘m sorry your pretty little world got all screwed up, but everybody‘s does, and you go on. It‘s how you go on that defines you.” His hand relaxed on my throat. “And I am going to tattoo you, Ms. Lane, however and wherever I please.”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“He swapped the fistful of my shirt for one in my hair, and ground his mouth against mine.
I exploded.
I shoved at him, and clawed him closer. He shoved me back, and yanked me tighter to his body. I pulled his hair. He pulled mine. He didn‘t fight fair. Actually, he fought exactly fair. He didn‘t extend courtesies, not a single one.
I bit his lip. He tripped me and pushed me down to the stone floor of the cavern. I punched him. He straddled me.
I ripped his shirt down the front, left it hanging in tatters from his shoulders.
“I liked that shirt”, he snarled. He rose over me, a dark demon, glistening in the torchlight, dripping sweat and blood, his torso covered with tattoos that disappeared beneath his waistband.
He grabbed the hem of my shirt, tore it straight up to my neck, and inhaled sharply. ”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“Maybe you need to get a grip on your libido, Barrons!”
Fuck you, Ms. Lane!”
You just try. I‘ll kick the shit out of you!”
You think you could?”
Bring it on.”

He grabbed a fistful of my T-shirt, and dragged me up against him until our noses touched.
I‘ll bring it on, Ms. Lane. But remember you asked for it. So don‘t even think about trying to tap out on the mat and quit the fight.”
You hear anybody crying ‗Uncle‘ here, Barrons? I don‘t.”
Fine.”
Fine.”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“Deals with the devil, Ms. Lane, never go well. That‘s a given. You will not make one again. Do you understand me? If I have to chain you to a fucking wall to protect you from your own stupidity, I will!” He glared at me.

I rattled my chains. “Wrists. Beam. Chained already, Barrons. Come up with a new threat.” I glared back.”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“Was he a good kisser, Ms. Lane?” Barrons asked, watching me carefully.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand at the memory. “It was like being owned.”
Some women like that.”
Not me.”
Perhaps it depends on the man doing the owning.”
I doubt it. I couldn’t breathe with him kissing me.”
One day you may kiss a man you can’t breathe without, and find breath is of little consequence.”
Right, and one day my prince might come.”
I doubt he’ll be a prince, Ms. Lane. Men rarely are.”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“What are you Barrons?”
“The one who will never let you die, and that’s more, Ms Lane, than anyone in your life has been able to say to you. More than anyone else can do”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“From who?”
“From whom, I believe is the correct phrasing.”
“All right, from-the-fuck-whom, Ms. Lane?”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

To wrap this up I think you deserve a few pictures to ~~drool over~~ look at..

Enjoy…and don’t forget to breathe

Tamie Xo