Lover's Absolution

Circle of Blood, Book Four

By: R. A. Steffan, Jaelynn Woolf

Narrated by: Gwendolyn Druyor

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Xander hates werewolves.
In all fairness, they’re not too keen on him either.

Normally, avoidance would be the obvious solution. At least, it would be if the werewolves in question weren’t holding a newly-turned six-year-old vampire child as a prisoner. Alone in London, it’s up to Xander to rescue the boy before he can fall into the hands of Bael’s sadistic servant, Bastian Kovac.

That mission that becomes exponentially more difficult when Xander discovers the identity of the mysterious female werewolf acting as the boy’s guardian. With the forces of darkness closing in from all directions, nothing is as it seems.

There’s a reason vampires and werewolves don’t mix. Of course, in more than 120 years, no one has ever accused Xander of playing by the rules.

Why should he start now?

* * *
The Circle of Blood series

In another lifetime, six vampires lost their mates - and their mortality - to an unimaginable evil power. Now, if they can’t reunite with the reincarnated souls of their lost loves soon, it may just mean the end of the world.

From USA Today best-selling author R. A. Steffan and fresh new voice Jaelynn Woolf comes a steamy paranormal romance series perfect for adult fans of vampire fiction. Download Circle of Blood, Book 4: Lover’s Absolution today and continue a heart-stopping journey that explores the power of love in a world gone mad with hate.

©2018 R. A. Steffan (P)2018 R. A. Steffan

An epic read!

Xander hates werewolves...
In all fairness, they’re not too keen on him either...

What a marvelous read - once I started listening to this book, I knew I couldn't put it down. Such an unputdownable read!

I think this book has become my favourite in this series!

Perfect for readers of paranormal romances.

The narrator was perfection. So enjoyable.

my favorite so far

these books are definitely NOT standalone's. while each book focuses on a particular couple the story arc continues and I feel something will be missed. this is a new take on vampires and a battle between light and darkness that has been going on for millennia
if you're into paranormal romance and urban fantasy check out this series.

Riveting

I don't usually review on the middle of a story but I won't forget this one until I have consumed this dark and fabulous story.

Good addition to a fantastic series

This chapter in the series moves the plot of the larger story along, while telling the individual story of Xander and his mate. The story of the creation of werewolves was intriguing, as are the changes that Xander and his mate experience after their first lust-fueled mating. There is danger, drama, violence, and some really hot sex in this audiobook. It's a good addition to the series. Wonderful "hook" ending that left me thirsty for the next book ;-0

Narrator Gwendolyn Druyor is fantastic as always, and gives great emotion and depth to her portrayal of the characters.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

EXCELLENT SERIES!

I love this series. The narration gives that extra flair to the books. This author gives you great detail with her character builds and plot. A job well done! I will definitely be reading any books released in this series (can't wait). I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Vampires and werewolves.

This story was just as good as the first 3 i read. I love hoThew the story line is progressing towards a great battle with evil. The pieces are coming together. The story is Xander's and how he met his mate who happens to be a werewolf. It starts with a plea for help from a female werewolf that turns out to be a trick. The Alpha werewolf claims he has something Xander want. A "baby vamp".. The vampire child is for real but it is all a plot to draw Xander in to be captured. The female werewolf , who was turned into a werewolf on purpose to keep Xander from claiming his mate, gives him a note in secret to help her the the young Vamp. When she goes to meet him she is captured and used to trap Xander. He becomes trapped with the female werewolf who has not had her first change yet. He gets locked in the freezer with her and no way out. The plan is for her to kill him while she is in wolf form But things have a way of working out. What happens when vampire and wolf blood mixes together? Xander does get a chance to call his friends to come and help him get the child vamp. Will they get there in time to save Xander, his mate and he young vamp? Or is this all trap to capture and kill all the vampires.

My favorite so far

For this 4th volume in the Circle of Blood series, we focus on the wise-cracking youngest vampire Xander. Those who’ve been reading the series may be looking forward to this because snarky, drunken characters can be fun on the page.

To any new readers, you could jump in here. While there isn’t a lot of rehashing what’s gone before, the over-arching plot isn’t hard to pick up. The story in small here is that once again one of the core group of Vampires meets the reincarnation of the main love interest.

There were a few things here that made the story pop for me. First of all, the heroine is Buddhist, which helps the writer and reader skip the disbelief in reincarnation. That would have been really annoying to see for six back to back books (as the series is planned to be). So with that weight off, it allows the characters to have more fun and less angst. Not that things are all roses. That wouldn’t be a very interesting story.

The reader is warned in the summary that Xander hates werewolves. As a fan of werewolves, it was great to see that element in this story. Yes, something about werewolves gets between Xander and his happy for now ending. Xander and his love both go through unexpected physical changes in this story, and I have to say that this was one of my favorite things that happened.

On the whole, this just might be my favorite book in the series so far. I’m still looking forward to book 6, which is supposed to be Snag’s solo book. But the authors gave us some nice Snag backstory in the middle of this Xander book, so that helped things roll along nicely.

As per my usual, I listened to this as an audiobook with Gwendolyn Druyor narrating. She’s the go-to voice for Steffan’s characters, and it’s one of my favorite creative partnerships up there with Hearne/Daniels and Harper/Ronconi. Really, I have nothing to say about the performance, but that’s because it’s just that good. She lets the story shine and doesn’t have to draw attention to herself. As a bonus, Druyor handles regional accents like a dream.

To new or reluctant readers, here’s the deal: Vampire story where the vamps are wanting to reunite with their lost loves while fighting a great evil that threatens all of humanity. There is a large cast of characters, but each book focuses on one pairing. It would be easy to pick up and enjoy. Plus, Steffan always brings the steam in her stories, and she doesn’t disappoint in this series, either.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved it

Very well written and narrated.
I thought I had hours of listening to this audible when all of a sudden I was listening to the epilogue, this audible is that good and more.

The narration was excellent. This was the first time I listened to her but am hoping it won't be the last.

I received this audible free at my request and am thrilled to leave my review.

The narrator is enthralling

Zander is cornered by group of werewolves who claim that they have a six year old boy that has been changed into a vampire. He follows them and finds that it is true. He discovers that it is a trap for him because that all have the reincarnation of his dead wife.
Manisha is a Buddhist who was in charge of protecting the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Their caravan got overtaken by a group of evil men who killed all but her and the boy who was changed.
Bastian Kovacs/Bael have plans to kill the vampires and their mates as well as other supernaturals and make them his puppets.
Snag sacrifices himself to Bael in order to save the boy. But both are taken.
I love this series. It draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There is so much action in these books that you don't want to put it down for even a second. Can't wait to find out what happens to Snag.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall