First Drop of Crimson

Night Huntress World, Book 1

By: Jeaniene Frost

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of the Night Huntress series comes a breathtaking new journey to the dark side of desire.

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows - her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield - and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family’s past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness - and a demon shape-shifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who lusts for a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human - even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the nightmare together, because once the first crimson drop falls, they will both be lost. 

©2010 Jeaniene Frost (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“Book by book, Frost builds her reputation as an author who delivers only the best.” (Romantic Times)

“[Frost’s] gift for vivid plotting is enhanced by the confident strokes of a writer at the top of her game.” (Fresh Fiction)

LOVED IT

I'm going to be honest here... I was really hesitant to get this one to listen to (I've listened to all of the NH series while at work and LOVE them all). I didn't think I was going to like it as much as the actual series. I went ahead and got it anyway because I am addicted to these books and am dying here waiting for my next "fix" when the next book in the series comes out on Aug. 30th. So I figured why not go ahead and get it. I was surprised at how much I really liked it. This is a great book and I'm glad I did it because I liked getting to know these side characters a little better and how Kats BFF came to marry Spade. I love how they have had the same narrator throughout the entire series so far (it really bugs me when they switch narrators and the voices you have come to know and love change). Tavia does an awesome job with the accents! I'm in the process of downloading the next spin of as I write this. Now all she needs to do is a spin off with Vlad (he cracks me up)! If you love the NH series these are a must read (or listen) as well. I just wish that Audible would get the Anthologies as well, but for now I guess I will just get them for my Kindle and read them. Don't hesitate like I did to pick this one, it's worth it!

Read the "Night Huntress" series 1st!

I HIGHLY recommend reading all of the "Night Huntress" novels BEFORE this novel. This is a "spin-off" but there are spoilers for the other books. Unfortunatly only "One Foot in the Grave" is availble in audio format, all the books are excellent.
Although this book is about Spade and Denise, Bones and Cat do make a siginifcant appearance in the last 3rd of the book, just as their lives were at the end of book 4 of the Night Huntress novels.

As with her other books, the author does a great job with charater, story and plot development, however I wasn't especially fond of the main charater, Denise. Although she does display traits of strength and bravery, she waivers between those traits and being, well, just down right whinny and irritating at times. Spade was Bones with a bit more polish, and thier relationship develops in much the same way as Bones and Cat's did: our heroine resisting the "nasty" vampire, but eventually falls for his irrestable charm. Now with all that said, there was alot that WAS interesting about Spade's back story, thier circumstances, and the conclusion of story. For me personally, I shy away from stories w/ demons in them (I find them morally disturbing), the demon indeed was a nasty fellow, but he was actually a shapeshifter not Lucifer's minion (or if he was, that wasn't brought up in the book).

The narrator does an excellent job, and I especially enjoy her accents with the exception of one: Denise which she does with a slight southern drawl, for some reason it just didn't work for me. I don't know if that contributed to why I didn't care for Denise or the other way around.
In any event I look forward to the next installment of this series!

A good book

The beginning started slow but it picked up after a few minutes of listening. The narrator was consistent with the characters all through out. You have to listen to this book if you like this genre.

Worthwhile spinoff

What made the experience of listening to First Drop of Crimson the most enjoyable?

awesome addition to the night huntress series... and also crucial to the story line of the night huntress series, to understand the latest release of the main story line i suggest you read both of the Night Huntress World releases as a few new characters are introduced :)

Great!! I Listened to This Book After Reading It

Even though I'd already read it I wanted to HEAR it. After being caught up in the story and voices (which the narrator did a fantastic job in) of Jeaniene Frost's 'One Foot in the Grave' I just couldn't wait to hear Spade and Denise in this book. I wasn't disappointed!! Once again the narrator did a great job of capturing the characters and bringing the story to life. I highly recommend this book and will definitely listen to it again!!

Simply the best!

Would you listen to First Drop of Crimson again? Why?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it!!! So wonderful, I listened to it ALL in one day.....I could not put it down....this spin off story was one of the best listens I have ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What did you like best about this story?

All of it.....the relationship with Denise and Spade was built so wonderfully.....and there sexy scenes were yummy!!!

Which character – as performed by Tavia Gilbert – was your favorite?

In this book it was Denise....she was so compassionate, and strong by the end, I am in love with her!!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did!!!!! lol

Any additional comments?

Just WOW!!! Highly recommend...but read the Night huntress series first....then you will love this book 100 times more and understand it!!!!

First drop of crimson

Very sensual story in an almost magical world, great action and suspense. The narrator makes the main characters come to life like they are in your world. A novel well done.

Jeaniene Frost has a new fan!!

This was my first Jeaniene Frost book and it will not be my last. I loved this book! It's been in my library forever (I went on a vampire strike for awhile). I'm glad I didn't give up on the genre forever because this book was great! The narration was excellent as well. Even though it's a spin-off from another series it is still a good stand alone book. I can't wait to read the rest of the Night Huntress series and I'm happy to see Tavia Gilbert narrates them too.

Much fun.

I love Jeanine Frost's books. The world she created and her characters are on my favorite list. I liked this book because it allows us to see this world from the eyes of secondary characters in her Night Huntress books. I like Denise and Spade, though I do find Denise a little weak. The plot line was fun and Tavia Gilbert did a good job in her narration. Her voices make it clear who is speaking.

Great Addition to the Series!

I really enjoy the Night Huntress world and was so happy to discover 2 extra books I could listen to! We get to learn about some of the blanks and seeming skips in the main books. Tavia is a great narrator, keeping in character. A must "read" if you love the series....

Good book, not impressed by the narrators accents

This is one of a series of books, about vamps and their galpals with super powers. This is a good storyline however i felt the choice of narrator did the story an injustice at times, or maybe it was just the combination of cliched text and the narrator. Some of the characters were British, and unfortunately the only accent available to the reader were Cockney and posh Cockney, let me tell you it is not a pretty event for the ears when a character sounds like a victorian chimney sweep selling oranges and apples on a market stall.

Romance to sink your teeth into

If you like your romance with a paranormal edge, and you're looking for something to really sink your teeth into, look no further than this book. First Drop Of Crimson has it all: strong characters, action, humour, and at the centre, a romance to warm anyone's heart. I'm often wary of adult paranormal fiction, as the authors often seem to get fantasy and erotica mixed up. I'm pleased to say that the sex scenes are few, but strong, just how they should be. This book is well balanced in every way without over doing either the sex or the violence, though the content is certainly adult. A truly sattisfying read.

worst book I have bought

Handsome, extremely rich hero rescues simpering weak pathetic female. This book reminded me of Mills and Boon romances I read in my teens. It was appalling, no story to it and not really a vampire tale except the male lead happens to be a vampire. I love the Sookie Stackhouse books but this cannot compare. I should have followed my instincts and given it up by the end of part one, I wasted too much time on this when there are so many good books. The narration was terrible, the woman reads the male parts in a weird posh very British accent, very annoying. Would not recommend this at all and regret wasting a credit on such a trashy book

first drop of crimson

This is the first book I have listen too by this author and couldn't stop listening it went everyware, even when waking the dog and before going to sleep. The TV didn't stand a chance, it never left stand by mode. I enjoyed the characters and the speaker was excellent - the characters came alive. I will be purchasing more from this author.

Good Listen

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed the way this book fits in with the rest of the Bones and Kat series and shows the back story for Spade and Denise. Very emotional in parts and I loved the way their relationship was not instant but grew. I have really enjoyed all of Jeaniene Frost books. Strong stories and complex characters

The Magic Continues

Any additional comments?

WhooHoo. The magic just does not stop. Whilst, Kat and Bones are around, it is Spade that takes the main role. Loved it and I mean L.O.V.E.D it. Great plotting once again and I find myself waiting for the old clichéd event and Ms Frost manages to pull something entirely different from the hat. The narrator again makes this book really special and the range of accents is impressive with only the one or two pronunciations sounding a tad 'off'. Really minor stuff though and I highly recommend to the normal crew.

Love it

I have read all of the Kat Crawford books and was so glad to find Jeaniene Frost had also written more books that spin off from these. I am totally hooked and cannot wait to start on Eternal Kiss which I have just downloaded.....keep it up Ms Frost I am loving them

First Drop of Crimson

What a disappointment! This had none of the wit and pace of the previous novel Halfway to the Grave. Not only were Cat and Bones relegated to comparatively minor roles, but, for me the obligatory minutae of the sexual adventures of Spade and Denise made for tedious listening. The Demon was far more impressive.

love

love these books she is my favourite author x x stupid British accent tho but it doesn't take away from the awesome writing x

The worst 'Brit' accent since Dick Van Dyke...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Having read and enjoyed most of the series about Cat and Bones I thought I would try this offshoot too. The story didn't disappoint, but oh my goodness...that accent. Seriously, Bones has the worst cockney accent you've ever heard. Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins sounds practically perfect in comparison. I found myself laughing every time Bones spoke, which was very off-putting.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Her god-awful accent for Bones. It ruined the book.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh in all the wrong places, because of Bones' accent!!

Any additional comments?

Please, get rid of the narrator for the next books!