Circle of Blood Book One

Lover's Rebirth

By: Jaelynn Woolf, R. A. Steffan

Narrated by: Gwendolyn Druyor

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

New Orleans is a hot mess.

Ancient feuds. Demonic forces bent on destruction. Oh, and apparently vampires are real.

Della didn't sign up for any of this. She didn't sign up for violence and mayhem in the streets of the Big Easy. She didn't sign up to be a magnet for an evil force intent on hunting down the reincarnated souls of its enemies. She sure as hell didn't sign up for rescue by a sinfully tempting vampire lord and his fashion-model-gorgeous friends. Especially since he seems convinced that she's the living embodiment of his long lost human mate.

Seriously, this kind of stuff isn't supposed to happen to insurance company receptionists from New Jersey.The world is descending into chaos. Now, a coven of hypnotically alluring bloodsuckers is trying to convince her they're the good guys. And the really scary part is, she's starting to believe them.

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 award-winning author R. A. Steffan and fresh new voice Jaelynn Woolf comes a steamy paranormal romance series perfect for adult fans of vampire fiction. Check out Circle of Blood, Book One: Lover's Rebirth today and begin a heart-stopping journey that explores the power of love in a world gone mad with hate.

©2017 R. A. Steffan (P)2017 R. A. Steffan

Vampire Romance. If you're a fan, this is for you.

As a fan of RA Steffan and her go-to narrator Gwendolyn Druyor, I am once again starting a new series, this one a contemporary vampire tale cowritten with Jaelynn Woolf.

The story is set in New Orleans with enough local detail to make your hair frizz from the humidity every time you listen. A coven of six vampires has come to town in an attempt to defeat the demon Baal, and the city is mad with horrible violence erupting at random all over. After a mass shooting, vampire leader Tre meets human Della, who just might be the reincarnation of his lost love Irina and is the key to defeating Baal.

The love story between Tre and Della happens quickly, but it isn’t insta-love. Even with the possibility that she might be reincarnated, Della has some healthy skepticism at first.

For vampire fans, this is both familiar and slightly different. Their abilities include healing, flight as mist, flight as owls, and some mind-reading with other vampires. If you’re already a fan, nothing in the world building will make you stumble.

The writing itself is lovely. There were a few good descriptions and turns of phrase that caught my ear. I was particularly impressed with the writing of the fight scenes and general violence and mayhem. I could feel the reality of the crazy fervor around the characters.

The only time I thought the story lagged was after the first sex scene where Tre is giving Della the backstory on what happened to him. We as readers and listeners already know most of what he’s telling Della. She does need to know what he’s saying, and it should be a scene we witness. I’m not sure what could have been done to make that better. If I’d been reading vs listening, I would have skimmed those scenes.

We got enough of the other vampires to make me curious for the other stories when we get to them. It should be a fun ride no matter how it happens.

As to Druyor’s performance, she is consistent as always. I have listened to enough hours of her performing Steffan’s works that I recognize voices she’s used for other characters in different series. This is a great voice for fiction, and I’d put her in my top ten favorite narrators.

REALLY WANT TO LIKE IT

so I read so many great reviews on this book, so I gave it an honest try at listening. unfortunately the narrator was not great, she was flat and droned on. I made it to chapter 10 before it became a chore and I gave up.

Vampires, Damsel In Distressed

I like Vampire stories but usually gay ones and this is my first straight series I have listen to and to be honest I am enjoying it very much except for the mushy sex scenes so I fast foward. The author knows how to write a story that brings the characters alive and at the same time you seem to know them and want to know more and with help of the narrator it accomplished.
Each books is bases on the history of the character male or female how they became a vampire but it a story that tells a total different story of them than we usually hear.
Tray is the leader and when he was turned he killed his life partner who offer herself to save him and in doing so he keeps a part of humanity but part of him is missing due to his soul torn into and the light part of the soul sent into hell. Then you meet Della a woman a bit down oh her luck in a dead end job and at the sametime she watching New Orleans going insane with mass shooting, murders and robberies. Unknown to her it is due to her being in New Orleans and meeting Tray who keeps coming and saving her and finding that she is his fated mated who is the spirt of his love that he killed when a demon named Baal turned him. Now he must try to get Della to understand why this happening and keep her safe and in the end Della sames him again by giving her life to save him but instead of dieing she is turned into a vampire.

Can't wait for the rest of the series!!!!

Circle of Blood, an Audiobook by R.A. Steffan is the first book in this series. It’s the story of Della and Tre. He’s a vampire who has given up on finding love after his beloved is killed by his own weakness. Many years later, he and his group of vampires come across Della, who is being harassed…they rescue her. He is completely drawn to her. Later, they discover why.

This series was one I’ve had on my ‘to read’ list for AGES and NOW, I have the opportunity to listen to the Audiobook!!! I am COMPLETELY entranced by this phenomenal series after just the first book!!!! Can’t wait to get into the rest!!! I ADORE all of these characters….their issues, angst, dilemmas, guilt, and romantic entanglements. This is a BIG thumbs up from me!!! I’m ready for book two!!!!

This story was INCREDIBLY narrated by Gwendolyn Druyor. I hope she performs the entire series!!! Loved her voice nuances for each character…how she brings identity to each so that you can tell immediately whose perspective each is representing. FABULOUS job!!!

I am volunteering to leave a review for an Advance Reader Copy of this Audiobook.

Looking forward to this series.

I would say the only thing that bummed me out about this book is that it was a bit short. I would have love a little more growth with the main characters. But maybe that will come later one in the series, I do however love the story line. I'm very curious to see how the author concludes this series. Will recommend and be reading again!

Some romance, some gore

Vampire finds long lost love reborn in a modern day woman. The characters were varied and I found they each had their own charm. The base of this story is fairly good but it didn't really pull me in. There wasn't a lot of excitement or build up while I waited for something to happen. The narrator was very good, giving each character their own voice. I have to admit that for me, the name "Della" for the main non-vampire female character is a bit too close to "Bella". I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Loved this listen!

Loved everything about this book! Intriguing characters and a fast paced story made for a throughly entertaining listen. Fantastic narrator as well! Eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Vampires You Want to Love

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

I truly enjoyed this new series that transports us in the fantasy world of good vampires fighting the evil spirits. The storyline is very creative and the characters likable in any of their human and inhuman forms. The light-hearted tone of the entire book is also pleasant and if a little gory at times, it is still in tone with the storyline.
The narration was very well done and it made for a very enjoyable listening experience.
Looking forward to the other books in the series to see where the authors will bring their characters. Well done!

Could do without the Narrator

Would you try another book from R. A. Steffan and Jaelynn Woolf and/or Gwendolyn Druyor?

I definitely want to read the series from Steffan and Woolf. I am not sure if I will listen to Druyor again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Zander for his snarky comments and devil may care attitude. He is a good looking Brit and I am very interested in learning about his past and how he was turned.

Would you be willing to try another one of Gwendolyn Druyor’s performances?

Probably not. Her rendition made it difficult to listen to the book. She did a great job with the different voices but she kept the emotion in her voice throughout the entirety of her narration. It became a bit too much.

Could you see Lover's Rebirth being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I could definitely see this made into a TV series. It has all the things that could make it into a hit, but must be on HBO to have all the sexiness in there.

Any additional comments?

I provided this review in exchange for a complimentary copy of the audiobook from the author, narrator, or publisher.

Ok, but not a 5 star.

I struggled with this book. Got predictable and boring. Sure glad the fish got a home finally. I'm out!