Blood and Soul is a collection of 5 stories that make up the Blood and Soul series

Vampire Master is the tale of Zigor and Mel. Zigor is an Ancient Alpha male. Although he lives in the modern world, he still follows in the traditions of the times when he was made. Thoroughly masculine and dominating, he owns and operates the club Burgundy Peak. A place where vamps and mortals can mingle, and where a vampire can get blood safely, a sort of brothel for vampires. It is here that he offers only a select few the opportunity to experience his mastery and allows them to feed him with their blood. Mel is a young vampire who has done it all. Strong in her own right, she finds that something is still missing in her life. She decides to offer herself to Zigor to find out if he can truly dominate her, and fill that empty place in her heart.

Vampire Crusade follows the story of Charles Free and Marie Connor. Charles is a former knight and very handsome giant of a man. After becoming a vampire, he continues his knightly behavior by protecting mortals from the evil of his kind. Marie, a mortal woman, is Charles’ lover. Not considered conventionally beautiful, Charles has worked hard to show her that to a man of his era she is truly beautiful. When Charles is attacked and hideously disfigured, he decides to hide himself away instead of allowing Marie the opportunity to destroy him with rejection.

Vampire Guardian: Dechrista, a prostitute, has had a hard life, which doesn’t change after she picks up a john name Herb. After a night of fabulous sex, Herb tells her he is a vampire and he can make her one too. In a haze from drugs and alcohol Dechrista agrees, thinking that this is another kink her client is into. Herb, inexperienced and immature, attempts the change and then freaks out. He leaves Dechrista with his sire and Master, Woodrow, and true to form runs away. Woodrow, handsome and compassionate, takes Dechrista under his wing to train. Woodrow is unique among vampire kind. He is blind, and because of this faces his own adversities. What he didn’t expect when accepting Dechrista was the feelings that she brings out in his heart. Could a woman like Dechrista ever accept a man like him?

Intimate Relations: Intimates are ancient vampires highly trained in the art of domination and sexuality. They are highly sought after by those who need to feel mastered. Rolan, a talented musician and Intimate, has many secrets to hide. Strong and attractive, he uses his powerful mind and sexy body to bring his submissives all that they desire. Autumn is an ancient female Intimate who wants no man to dominate her. She has worked hard for her freedom and strength and will let no man have power over her. Intimates can rarely be passionate with one another because of the constant power struggle, but neither can deny the attraction that immediately springs up between them. Can they find a balance, or will they constantly battle to see who is the stronger?

Nutcracker is the short story of Onan and Elizabeth. Onan is one of the rare ancients that have chosen to stay with his Master, the Intimate Zigor. He once gave his heart to one of his fledglings and had it destroyed. Since then, he has vowed to never trust again. Elizabeth is the vampire that betrayed. She has spent over 200 years trying to regain Onan’s trust and love by sending him a homemade gift and letter each Christmas. Will this year be the one where Onan will forgive her for her foolish mistake?

What can I say? Kate Hill, has done it yet again. This series is delightful. The depth of feelings that she evoked in each story was truly awe-inspiring. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. Each character is so fully developed that you experience each heartbreak and joyful discovery as if they were your own. I could not put this book down, I read it straight through and almost cried when it was over. I connected so strongly with each character that I didn’t want to let them go. Kate Hill’s mastery of the written word never ceases to amaze me. Each story contained a great plot that really showcased the strengths and weaknesses of their characters, and just added that much more to the work. Although the characters are paranormal in nature the issues that Kate Hill explores in each story are found in every day life. Issues of self esteem, (self esteem and self worth are basically the same, that’s my inner social worker talking…) the changing standards of beauty, and love and forgiveness are just a few that she touches upon. The sensual scenes in the book ranged from BDSM to tenderness, and were interwoven with the plot and storyline. They enhanced the plot instead of distracting from it, or making you feel they were just thrown in to sell copies. There is something for everyone in these stories, and I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by: Hayley