The Suck Stops Here

A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (First Fangs Club, Book 4)

By: Kristen Painter

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

Vampire governor of New Jersey Belladonna Barrone has just gotten an epic offer from an unexpected visitor, but it’s not something she’s ready to respond to without serious thought. Besides, she already has a lot on her plate. The recent death of a high-ranking vampire means she and her crew of staff and friends are headed off to the funeral in the middle of the country. But travel can be tricky when it comes to moving vampires. The solution? Rent some luxury motorcoaches and prepare for a road trip that will be unlike any other. 

For one thing, the trip includes a stop off to meet the parents of her daughter’s boyfriend. Something Donna isn’t particularly looking forward to. After all, they’re upstanding citizens and she’s, well, the soon-to-be former wife of a mobster currently awaiting trial. 

For another, the dark shadow of serious allegations hangs over Donna and her human assistant, Pierce. Allegations made by her arch nemesis, Governor Fitzhugh, that will require both Donna and Pierce to appear before the vampire council. She feels certain she’ll be able to deal with the outcome of her hearing, but Pierce is a different story. The vampire council isn’t known for their mercy with humans. 

Protecting Pierce weighs heavy on her. There has to be a way to persuade Fitzhugh to drop the charges, but at what cost? And can she trust his word? While pondering these questions, the funeral activities get underway, and Donna makes a strong new ally. 

Then events take an interesting turn and Donna is left with a brand-new issue to deal with. Should she bite the bullet and say yes to the epic deal she was offered before the trip? Even when she feels inadequate to handle what’s required of her? 

The only thing she knows for sure is enough is enough. For once and for all, the suck stops here. 

©2021 Kristen Painter (P)2021 Kristen Painter

no spoilers but...

cliff hangers suck. please tell me the next book is weeks away and not a full year, please!

Wait for the next book before beginning this one

I dearly hope Kristen Painter isn't going to continue with the trend of this kind of cliffhanger ending. The story was good and provided lots of interest to the very end... except it ended at the worst possible moment in the worst possible kind of cliffhanger!

This isn't the first book in a series I've read lately that uses this kind of cliffhanger, that is to say, an ending that doesn't quite complete the story arc of the book, but abruptly ends at the very moment of crisis. It feels like a cheap trick and something I don't expect from a Kristen Painter story. I can abide a cliffhanger that comes after the story of the book ends and provides a sort of tease for the next book, but I don't appreciate a book that fails to complete its own arc. If this is a trend, I fervently hope it doesn't catch on!

I've thoroughly enjoyed the stories of the First Fangs Club and especially the fact that the main character is a mature woman. I've eagerly awaited each release and picked it up on the day of release. But not next time! I intend to wait for reviews to let me know if there is another cliffhanger. If yes, then I'll wait for the next book release before getting the current one... or even wait for the series to conclude before continuing. While I want to support a favorite author with early sales, I'm not willing to be manipulated by an unworthy strategy to try to force me into grabbing up the next book as soon as it comes out. PerhapsKP felt the longer than usual length of this book would compensate for the ending... it doesn't! I already enjoy these stories and don't need to be manipulated to look forward to them. Perhaps I have been spoiled by the nature of the other series KP writes in that they are always self-contained and complete in themselves even within the larger series. I don't think it's too much to ask for a book to complete the story being told before ending... and I don't think it's just me.

Here's hoping for a less stressful non-ending in future books!

spoiler alert new perspective

I too hate the ending, but wow! Many readers just put the book down, many disgusted vowing to never read another book (your loss), many looking forward to the next. My advice, dissect the book(s) until the new one comes out. It helps pass the time until the next one comes and maybe you can guess what happens. Can you predict Donna's fate? I called it for Pierce. Ms Painter has left so many clues in this book as well as the others. Many are so subtle. In the first book she dropped the hint of Kristina 's future when Kristina finds out Donna is vampire and yells at Donna "are you a werewolf too"? Catch my drift? Lest not forget the clue Kristine's boyfriend parents own a chain of restaurants called "big dogs". Get invested in the series this way, it's more fun! Keep a journal and jot down what you find. Did you catch the clue about Artemis's painting reference before the will was read? She blatantly tells the reader when Donna turns in the coins. She practically screamed look for the clues in the books! Speculate, dissect, deduce what's going to happen to Donna and her teams future(s). Unless you're looking for a good, mindless adventure which is very ok too. "Nothing" in her books is casual or coincidental or are they? Here's a mind blower, Pierce gives up being a reaper (subtle hints Donna sees the shadows around Pierce and is told only reapers can see the shadows)makes Donna the reaper, then Pierce is turned into a vampire. She tells Pierce if he doesn't like it and wants to give it up she would turn him earlier in the book. As we are told Vampires can't do anything to reapers, basically untouchable. But she can still be a vampire. Will is the proof. Now, crack the books open and start digging!

my only complaint: I have to WAIT for the next one

I've been waiting for this book. I loved the last 3 and listened to this in one nonstop as soon as I was notified that it was available. That in itself should speak volumes, but let me get more specific.
Kristen Painter writes well, an appropriate balance of showing and telling as well as descriptive language that remains clear and coherent.
Our leading lady, Belladonna, is a grown woman who behaves like a grown woman. She's lived her human life and brings her experience with her as she settles into her place in the supernatural community. I can't tell you how refreshing that is, a mature character capable of behaving like an adult? Chef's kiss!
The large cast of characters that support Belladonna feel fleshed out and three dimensional, despite the fact we only get into Belladonna's head and can never

OMG!!!

You know a book is amazing when it causes such intense feelings and you’re like what the heck??? That was this one!!
I adore this author and I adore the characters in this book!! It was amazing getting to visit them again and this was such a great story. Then comes the ending and I totally never saw it coming and I’m still in shock as I write this!!! I can not wait for the next book to see where Kristen Painter is going with it because one way or another, you know it will be a heck of a ride!!!

Disappointed

Long on tedious descriptions of locations and fashion, short on depth of story line. Many of the excellent characters from previous installments but without any further growth or interesting interactions. It seemed like a filler as if the writer did not have a solid direction for this series. I expected more story telling quality. The narration, however, continues to be excellent.

Great story!

I really love this series!! Donna and her team are AMAZING! I love that this book picked up where Sucker Punch stopped! You really must read this series in order! I so can’t wait for the next book in the series!! Way to go Mrs.Painter!!!

Struggling

Contains spoilers

I’m really struggling with this book. I LOVE Kristin Painter’s books. However, the cliffhanger endings in this series are getting super annoying. It was the great reveal about the baby that finally pushed me from just “eh” to completely irritated. Seriously? You just get over it in 2 minutes after you find out your lover didn’t tell you he’s a werewolf and you’re carrying his werewolf baby? No. Just no. That would require some processing and some time apart. And if you’re not taking that time, you are an idiot. Ugh. She just made that character a doormat. I’m way over that. And ANOTHER massive cliffhanger ending? Except this one makes ZERO sense. I’ve never had characters in the books piss me off this much. I’m so bummed because I was liking this series for the first two books.

The Sucks Stops Here

I Absolutely Love this Series! The narration is amazing! I have it 4 stars because, getting ready to leave the governor's mansion to visit her daughter's boyfriend and family along with going to Artemis 's funeral could have Bern done in 1/4 of a chapter. I kept skipping chapters because I got so bored listening thru Chapters of totally irrelevant things about 2 busses , packing for the busses, getting food on the busses, blow drying your hair in preparation for the bus ride, the list goes boringly Long thru a waste of space for chapters after chapter.
Once the story line began at the boyfriend's home, it got much better again.. I want to reiterate that the beginning is great, but once you come to the busses, skip the chapters.. Maybe, read one of you want to, but you may put it down and not pick it back up.. I'm a fan of Robyn Peterman, so I'm sticking to her Series..

Boring

I liked the first book in this series but I didn't have the patience to finish this one. There was very little happening in the plot so after 10 or 11 Chapters and many, many pages of excruciatingly boring description of every outfit the main character wore and the decor of every room she walked into, I decided not to continue listening. It was like when your Aunt is trying to tell a story but keep getting distracted.

Brilliant

Just when you think things can’t get any worse for Donna that’s exactly what happens.

Brilliant as ever

First Fangs Club is a series well worth reading or listening to, from book 1 to book 4 it is so entertaining, but the cliffhanger at the end of this book has left me wanting more. B J Harrison is an excellent narrator

A slow burn of a story

I have followed this series from book one but found this episode to be quite slow and felt to be written in real time.

It took a long time to get to the expected cliff hanger at the end which instead of making me want to preorder the next episode has put me right off.

Quite frankly the enjoyment did not match the commitment necessary. Not enough content or humour and too long.

Great story but awful cliffhanger.

As always gripping storyline, fantastic narration with lots of heart stopping moments. The only disappointment is the cliff hanger. Please bring out the next book in the series quickly as the story needs the follow to be issued quickly or you will loose favour with this storyline. Thank you for introducing me to these books.

Gripping

Can not wait for book 5 never listened to anything like this before ..But I'm hooked

Oh my amazing

Amazing series it’s a must must buy can’t wait-for more in the series
Vampire governor of New Jersey Belladonna Barrone has just gotten an epic offer from an unexpected visitor

When is the next audio book due

I have enjoyed listening to all of this particular series and have got so wrapped up in the story line that I immediately wanted to know what happened next! A good narrator brings a book to life.

next please

great book dont leave it to long for the next episode seemed to take a long time for this one

An excellent story

An excellent fourth instalment in the First Fangs Club series. Lots of drama and twists. And what a cliffhanger ending!! Can’t wait to see how the author gets Donna out of this one!

Cliffhanger!

Wow what can I say!
I thought the last book stopped on a cliffhanger but this ......
I'm going to need the next book in the series asap!