I haven't read an urban fantasy for a while, and I do miss this genre. I thought this book was good, with interesting characters, and plot and for fans of this genre or newbies wanting to check it out this is a good book, and very enjoyable.

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

This is the second novel in the Charley Underwood series, and continues the adventures of our newest up and coming witch in Crimson. More trouble has arrived for our MC, and as she deals with the multiple problems that arise, trying to keep everyone (mortal, shifter, vampire) from ending up hurt or dead, and stopping the bad guys.

Overall, this is my basic kind of urban fantasy I prefer to read. It is fairly quick and easy to read, and doesn't necessarily dive into vivid detail if there is some 'romance' going on. We have action, magic, fighting both magical and physical. Small plots twists (to a degree) and multiple things going on that just throw the MC into a tizzy trying to figure out which to face and take care of first. Let's throw in that personal love interest part again, and just mix it all up!

I have enjoyed several other stories from this author, and this one does well keeping my interest in the story. Definitely would recommend for any that like urban fantasy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A great read.

This was the first book from the series that I've read but I didn't feel like it mattered too much. It referenced their past when required so I understood what was happening.

A great urban fantasy with plenty of action. Vampires, witches and werewolves a plenty. Charley is a strong female lead with limited control of her powers. You can see that she has power behind her but it's unreliable.

It has good pacing and never left me feeling bored. Murders are occuring around town and when her friend is accused she has no choice but to step in and clear his name.

Samuel is the love interest, I'm not sure how much he was involved in the first book but his role was minimal in this one. I found it difficult to root for their connection due to the minimal time he was allowed.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

My review will be posted in the following location on the 29th June.

https://www.instagram.com/hf.payne/

Action packed read. Nice murder mystery, a little spice finally, and a tiny cliffhanger for the next book that I'm anxious to read!

Charley's crew is back and snarkier than ever! Action, intrigue, vamps, wolves, and witches - and who the heck are the good guys and bad guys, so much going on. A paranormal feast, fun from beginning to end and can't wait for more! A definite satisfying HFN ...

This is a great addition to the Underwood series. A little more backstory for the side characters. I can’t wait for the next episode, no cliffhangers I just want another adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Second Sky Publishing for the ARC of Bloodlust Bites by Luanne Bennett.

Well, Charley just cannot seem to catch a break! This book picks up immediately after the end of Bloodlust Blues and the town of Crimson remains absolutely chaotic. More women, both vampire and human, have gone missing or have been found viciously murdered. The police are looking at Beau, and Charley is working to protect him and her mysterious new waitress, who is also running from an unknown danger. These dangers motivate Charley to seek out more skills of her magic, though she is still only mildly committed to it, even though she knows how much she needs it to keep herself and others safe. Though when everything comes to a head, Charley needs more than magic - she just might need the backing of an enemy as well.

Like the first book there is a lot of fast paced action that has Charley constantly moving from one problem to the next as they all slowly fit themselves together. Considering this book and the first one only cover a few weeks at most in Crimson, I feel like there should be more concern over this massive body count from a highly ineffective police force. Charley has gotten basically no break at all, and it seems like everything has just escalated to 100 in her life - no wonder she can't think about her magic training. In that regard, I do kind of wish there had been some break between the books so that Charley could develop more as a character instead of her being forced to be reactive 100% of the time.

I was also happy to see progress with Samuel - but our reader interaction with him is so brief, sometimes barely a page or two, so I don't really see how he and Charley should be together or be anything more than hook-ups. I wish more time had been committed to this part of Charley's life.

Similar to the first book, there are a LOT of True Blood vibes again. A vampire needing blood from Charley when they are dangerously drained, an attractive man-child thinking he's turning into a beast of some sort, a vampire club run by a dangerous man where there are seemingly no rules, an inept police force scared of the supernaturals looking to blame the town pretty boy for murder because he sleeps around -- it's not a bad thing, but it still remains in my head as I read each book in the series.

I was excited to read this second book in the series as I loved the first one, and I think I loved this one more. Poor Charley is up to her neck in murders, trying to keep her friends from being blamed, and dealing with someone taunting her. Add in her bartender running from her past, a vampire she’s growing close to, and her friends trying to coddle her, and this is a fun installment in the series. I just love Charley and her friends, and I can’t wait to see what the events in this book have in the next one. Bring it on! Well-written, entertaining, engaging, and fun. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Crimson isn’t a regular town. With vampires, shifters, and humans living side by side, tensions always run high. Charley Underwood — witch, bar owner, and accidental demon hunter — tries to keep the peace as best she can.

This sequel to urban fantasy Bloodlust Blues picks up where the first book left off, as our heroine Charley tries to get a grip on her magic while dealing with threats to her bar and her friends. I'd recommend reading the first book before this one as it introduces the characters and some of the plot elements, but it could be read on its own if you just want a fun quick read.

Recommended for fans of urban fantasy with strong female characters in the style of Charlaine Harris and Patricia Briggs.

[I will post this review to Instagram and Goodreads on 12 July and will post the links here at that time]