Adrian Debrett is coming into his powers and finds himself in the middle of the vampire world’s political conspiracy. With so many people attempting to use Adrian for their own purposes, he knows he has to keep his eyes open and his interaction to a minimum. That’s no longer an option when he meets Prince Gabriel and catches the leader’s attention. His under-the-radar status changes, and Adrian receives an ultimatum: service or death. However, when a vampire more powerful than Gabriel hits the scene, Adrian discovers just how deep the rabbit hole goes. With great power comes great expectations, but Adrian’s expectations stay the same throughout, for all he wants is to live in peace and perform his daily jobs.

Adrian and Gabriel have a complex relationship. Of course, there are supporting characters that also play a role in Adrian’s life who have an equally intricate association with the young man. While I understand the basis of some of Gabriel’s decisions was out of caring and not for selfish reasons, I had trouble liking his character at times. His high-handedness when it came to deciding Adrian’s future bothered me until the very end of this story. Adrian shows just how big his heart is and has a compassion for others that has nothing to do with genetic makeup.

Shayne Carmichael has written a fantastic paranormal story. Some of this book is reminiscent of other stories I’ve read with a similar storyline, but it’s clearly different when you watch the interaction between Adrian and all the other characters. Adrian leads with his heart, not his phallus. I’ll be the first person raising my hand guilty of seeing Mr. Carmicheal’s name and thinking “here comes some hot sex”. Adrian didn’t allow sex to become a dominating force that draws him into situations and to me, that made Blood Ties that much more enjoyable.

Reviewed by: NeNe