BLOOD LAW Reviews

[JeannieHolmes]

Here are the reviews I've received for BL so far:

Publishers Weekly

Holmes debuts with the first in a derivative paranormal mystery series featuring Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigation enforcer Alexandra Sabian, a vampire charged with policing the undead populace of Jefferson, Miss. When someone begins killing and mutilating vamps in ways that send Alex flashing back to her father's murder, Alex's ex-fiancé, Varik Baudelaire, is dragged out of retirement, reassigned to the FBPI, and sent to help her on the case. With all the tension between human and vampire populations exposed, the story reads like a badly conceived morality play on racism, including 1960s vampire demonstrations for equal legal rights, which they earn in a scant seven years. A dash of religious zealotry and flimflammery adds little flavor. Holmes does deviate from tradition in that her vampires, while light-sensitive, are not night creatures—in which case, why bother? (July)

Booklist

Alexandra Sabian is an officer for the Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigations (FBPI) tasked with maintaining the peace between humans and supernaturals in the small town of Jefferson, Mississippi. Alex is a vampire, but that’s not a problem in her world; all the supernaturals “came out” when she was a small child. When vampire bodies start appearing—staked, beheaded, crucified, and defanged—Alex must liaise with the bigoted local law enforcement. Complicating matters further, Alex’s father was murdered in the exact same way (his killers were never found), and the senior FBPI officer sent in to help is her ex-fiancé. Fast paced and full of action, the story never flags, from the discovery of the first body to the exciting (and violent) finale. The characters are fascinating and well developed, but plenty is left for the future: this has excellent potential as a series. With a world similar to that of Kim Harrison’s Hollows series (including Black Magic Sanction, 2010) and a main character with much of the same style as Harrison’s Rachel Morgan, this makes a great read-alike for Harrison fans. Followers of Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse, who appreciate the small-town southern setting (with vampires), are another good audience. --Jessica Moyer

Also received a YA recommendation from Booklist:

YA/M: A must for teens fans of the Sookie Stackhouse novels, or the TV show based on them, True Blood. —Jessica Moyer

This title has been recommended for young adult readers:
YA – general interest
YA/C – particular curriculum value
YA/S – specific interest
YA/M – for mature teens


RT Book Reviews

BLOOD LAW
by Jeannie Holmes

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

RT Rating 4 stars

Another new voice makes a compelling debut in the urban fantasy genre. Set in a small Southern town, prejudice, fear and hatred bring Holmes’ story to a boiling point, as the heroine must face a complicated past and an uncertain future. Holmes gives every indication of being a promising new talent with a great future ahead!

One of the catalysts for vampires revealing their existence was the vicious murder of one of their own, Bernard Sabian. Now all these years later, Bernard’s daughter Alexandra is an enforcer for the Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigations (FBPI), and based in the small town of Jefferson, Miss.

The uneasy peace between humans and vampires is shattered by the brutal murders of several vampires. As Alex investigates, she is disturbed by the similarity of the crimes to her own father’s murder. Aggravating Alex even more is the arrival of her former mentor and lover, Varik Baudelaire. As the deaths pile up, Alex is having difficulty keeping her perspective — and if she doesn’t stay in control, it could destroy her. (DELL, Jul., 371 pp., $7.99)

Reviewed By: Jill M. Smith

[ailishsmom]

WOO-TO-THE-FREAKIN-HOO!!!

4 Stars!!!! You so rock da house!!!

[JeannieHolmes]

I guess all that promo in Columbus worked. ;D

[ailishsmom]

Promo-ing is good, but where reviews are concerned, I'm pretty sure the book is responsible.

[JeannieHolmes]

You may be on to something there.

[Michelle]

I am in agreement with T. You must take the credit.

[JeannieHolmes]

But, Michelle, you know me better than anyone on this board, and you know that I think everything I write sucks until told differently...many many many many many many times.

[Michelle]

Ah... the curse of the talented writer. Yes... I know... and this is why I say, "Take the cred. You rock! Your book is awesome. Talented writer you are. Deserving of all praise. Down with reviewers who think otherwise!"

[JeannieHolmes]

I've been "Klausnered."

BL was reviewed by Harriet Klausner, former #1 Amazon book reviewer. Meh.

From Merry Genre Go Round Reviews:


Blood Law
Jeannie Holmes
Dell, Jul 6 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780553592672

Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigations (FBPI) field enforcer Alexandra Sabian resides in Jefferson, Mississippi; a town in which half of the six thousand residents are vampires to include forty-something Alex. She relocated to the quiet town six years ago for some needed respite from her internal issues.

An unknown predator begins serial mutilating and killing vampires that remind Alex of her father’s brutal homicide forty years ago, which haunts her. Nassau County Sheriff Harvey Manser makes it clear at the latest murder scene that his belief that the only good vampire is a truly dead vampire. The remains are horrific with fangs and heads removed amongst other vicious mutilations. The FBPI provides Alex with backup sending in retired agent Varik Baudelaire; her former fiancé and mentor whom she detests for his betrayal.

This is an entertaining urban fantasy with a fascinating premise that does not always work. Four decades ago the vampires came out of the coffins demanding equal rights and legally received them within seven years of protesting, but de facto racism remains strong. The story line is at its best when the focus is on the taut dysfunctional relationship between the investigating FBPI agents. When the tale takes a moral species rights stand, it becomes too obvious a metaphor that pales compared to the realities of the Civil Rights Movement. Still readers will enjoy the opening gamut of the FBPI as Mississippi’s Burning.

Harriet Klausner

[ailishsmom]

That's quite the honor! And overall, not a bad review. I don't get why folks get all hung up on the comparison to the Civil Rights movement though. It's not like your trying to belittle it.

[JeannieHolmes]

Thanks, T'. It is an honor to be "Klausnered," especially for the first book, and this review is now showing up on Barnes & Noble, along with a 5-star ranking so it's not all bad. ;D

But the fixation on what is essentially a single line in the first chapter (the part about the "vampire protests") does peeve me a bit. If I remember correctly, I never actually say the vampires were protesting or how they got their legal rights. It's a point to be discussed in a depth in a later book. (Ooh, did I just drop a hint of what's to come in the series? *gasp*) But....hey...whatever floats the reviewer's tractor...at least they're talking about the book, right?

[Michelle]

Excellent on the 5 star paired with the review. I too don't understand the hang up... but I suppose that's what critics do.
And yes! They are talking about the book! So that is extra excellent!

[JeannieHolmes]

Thanks, Michelle. If you notice my head starting to swell from all these reviews and attention, stick a fork in me. K? ;D

[debim]

We shall smite you with the Rubber Band of Righteousness...that ought to knock the stuffin' out of your head.

Of course we shall place it back in your desk drawer after the smiting for future use.

[Skitty]

How did Debi get ahold of the Rubber Band of Righteousness??

*picks up stray pieces of stuffin' that fell on the floor and puts them in the drawer with the rest of the stuffin'*

*skitty is always helpful*

Congrats on another good review!! Your awesomeness deserves lots of praise, Jeannie!!!

*skitty is also a bit of a suck-up*