Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason

Title: Roaring Midnight

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Avid Press 2013

Genre: Paranormal (Vampires)

Pages: 232

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Women Authors; Well-Rounded Reader -- Paranormal Romance; What's in a Name -- Reference to time

Macey Gardella is a typical young woman of the Roaring Twenties: she works a job, has her own flat, and loves to dance the Charleston. But when a mysterious man named Sebastian Vioget informs her she belongs to a family of vampire hunters, Macey is stunned and disbelieving.
Yet, strange and frightening things begin to happen, and when Macey comes face-to-face with one of the fanged creatures, she has no choice but to believe Sebastian. And when she learns his own soul depends on her willingness to carry forth the family legacy and hunt the undead, Macey capitulates and joins the fight.
As she begins to learn about her new life, Macey meets the handsome newspaper reporter known as Grady--who seems to know more about vampires than he should. When he begins to ask too many questions, she has to juggle her strong attraction to him with the need for secrecy.

I picked this up because of the strength of the first Gardella series. I loved reading about Victoria, Max, and Sebastian's adventures. This volume doesn't quite live up to the first ones, but I did enjoy reading it. I loved the setting: 1920s Chicago. The gangsters, the speakeasies, and the flappers all added a lovely atmosphere for the novel. I loved the Sebastian and Wayren as they were great characters from the first series. However, I an not completely sold on Macey and the other newcomers. Macey is a bit too childish, at least in this first book. I would like her have a bit more sense of the world. I mean she lives in gangster era Chicago. You would think she would know not to wander the streets alone after dark. I am also not a huge fan of Chas and Grady. They just seem to be very flat characters right now. I hope that as the series progresses the character also grow and change. Otherwise, I might just have to give this series up...

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

As Shadows Fade and Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason

Title: As Shadows Fade (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #5); Max Stops the Presses (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #5.5)

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2009; 2013

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 342; 30

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal -- Angels; Monthly Key Word - Shade; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Eclectic -- Romantic Suspense; Ebook; Bingo -- 2 2013 releases

How I Got It: I own it

Demons, enemies of both mortals and the undead, have found their way to Earth. To defeat them, Victoria Gardella proposes an alliance between her slayers and Lilith’s vampires. But the vampire queen wants the former slayer Max Pesaro in return for her cooperation—a small price for the world, but a price Victoria is unwilling to pay...

An amazing conclusion to a great paranormal romance series. I loved seeing where the story led. And I'm super excited to find a happy ending, albeit one with a huge twist. I can see the need for the twist, but holy crap it was a shocker. My only complaint was that I wanted a bit more of an ending. Thankfully, we Gleason made a short story to give the readers a bit more of a ending.

This is a short story (about 30 pages) that takes place after the end of As Shadows Fade, the fifth book in the Victoria Gardella Vampire Chronicles series.

And this is the story that helped me find a bit of closure for the characters. Plus, it was a cute little short story to follow up. Love it!

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

#1 The Rest Falls Away
#1.5 Victoria Gardella
#2 Rises the Night
#3 The Bleeding Dusk
#4 When Twilight Burns
#5 As Shadows Fade
#5.1 Max Stops the Presses
#6 Roaring Midnight
#7 Raging Dawn
#8 Roaring Shadows

When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason

Title: When Twilight Burns (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #4)

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2008

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 346

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Dusty Bookshelf; 52 Books - W32

How I Got It: I own it

After narrowly escaping Rome with her mortality, vampire hunter Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacey returns to London—where not even sunrise can stop a vampire’s carnage. Not only is Victoria unable to detect the vampire with her heightened senses, but she’s being framed as the prime suspect behind the killings.
Meanwhile, the legacy of a vampire’s touch has left his blood boiling in her veins and forces her to fight evil on two fronts—against the new breed of undead threatening London and the darkness within herself….

Holy crap! Finally! This volume moved the characters forward so much. I've been waiting for some of the developments in this book. I am still in love with Victoria. She's such a great heroine. She has her faults, but all of those make her a real person. And Sebastian and Max are such amazing male characters, but so different. I can't make up my mind as to which I like better. Plus, we get some great scenes with Lilith. I can't wait to read the next volume, but I have it scheduled September.

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

#1 The Rest Falls Away
#1.5 Victoria Gardella
#2 Rises the Night
#3 The Bleeding Dusk
#4 When Twilight Burns
#5 As Shadows Fade
#5.1 Max Stops the Presses
#6 Roaring Midnight
#7 Raging Dawn
#8 Roaring Shadows

The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason

Title: The Bleeding Dusk (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #3)

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2008

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 346

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal - Demon; Women Authors; Mount TBR; Seriously Series

How I Got It: I own it

As Rome prepares for its Carnivale, vampire hunter Lady Victoria Gardella is in no mood for festivities. But her personal grief must be set aside for there is a sinister plot underway. In yet another play for power, vampires have formed an unholy alliance with the demon Akvan in order to gain access to an ancient alchemist's secrets. As their combined bloodthirsty army ravages the city streets, Victoria races to solve the age-old mystery - if she fails, the world is lost for ever.

Another exciting volume of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. I like this series way too much. It's got everything I want: interesting characters, action, romance, vampires. I was scared of where Victoria would go after the death of Aunt Eustacia, but I was very happy about the direction of the series. Plus, we get a ton of new revelations between other characters. And we get heart pounding action and romance scenes. Ready to jump into the next one.

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

#1 The Rest Falls Away
#1.5 Victoria Gardella
#2 Rises the Night
#3 The Bleeding Dusk
#4 When Twilight Burns
#5 As Shadows Fade
#5.1 Max Stops the Presses
#6 Roaring Midnight
#7 Raging Dawn
#8 Roaring Shadows

Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason

Title: Rises the Night (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #2)

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2007

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 334

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly -- July; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W29

How I Got It: I own it

THE CITY OF ROME GIVES RISE TO A NEW ARMY OF VAMPIRES ...As Victoria Gardella races across Europe to stop what could be the most deadly uprising vampire slayers have ever faced, she is accompanied by Sebastian Vioget, a man as tempting as he is devious. But when Victoria discovers that she has been betrayed by one of her most trusted allies, finding out the truth will be her greatest challenge.

This one was full on action right from the first page. I am really falling for this series. I love the writing. I love the characters. I love the plot lines. Gleason sure knows how to craft those twists and turns and keep the audience right there with Victoria. In this volume we learn more about other vampire threats out there. We also get more information about the Venators and their history. I liked the walk through the Venator museum highlighting some of the more interesting ancestors. And finally Gleason takes our hearts, rips them from our chests, and stomps all over them while we watch... but in an amazingly captivatingly way. I was completely stunned at the end of this book and ready for the next volume.

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

#1 The Rest Falls Away
#1.5 Victoria Gardella
#2 Rises the Night
#3 The Bleeding Dusk
#4 When Twilight Burns
#5 As Shadows Fade
#5.1 Max Stops the Presses
#6 Roaring Midnight
#7 Raging Dawn
#8 Roaring Shadows

The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason

Title: The Rest Falls Away(Gardella Vampire Chronicles #1)

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2007

Genre: Vampire

Pages: 347

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre - Thriller; New Authors; Seriously Series; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it

Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world. In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget. And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.

The first in a book series that has sat on my shelves for way too long. If I had known the book was as good as it was, I would have read it years ago. I love finding gems in my TBR stacks. This book started with action and just never stopped. I loved the action scenes in this one. The writing is very clear and concise, yet beautifully constructed. The characters are amazing. I immediately connected to Victoria. I loved the meeting with Eustacia. Verbena was a surprising addition to the cast. And of course, the men are all intriguing. I flew through this novel in no time at all. I couldn't wait to see what happened with the Book of Anwartha, the Marquess of Rockley, and Lilith. I was a bit shocked at the ending, but realized that it completely makes sense for the overall storyline. I can't wait to read to the next installment of Victoria Gardella's adventures as a Venator.

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

#1 The Rest Falls Away
#1.5 Victoria Gardella
#2 Rises the Night
#3 The Bleeding Dusk
#4 When Twilight Burns
#5 As Shadows Fade
#5.1 Max Stops the Presses
#6 Roaring Midnight
#7 Raging Dawn
#8 Roaring Shadows