5 Wine Glass #Review of The Red Lily by Juliette Cross

Title: The Red Lily
Series: Vampire Blood #2
Author: Juliette Cross
Format: Kindle, 298 pages
Published: June 19th 2017 by Entangled Publishing, LLC (Select Otherworld)
ISBN: ASIN: B072C3V4DQ
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

When Red falls for the Big Bad Vampire...

The Black Lily resistance needs a larger army if they are to defeat the vampire monarchy. In order to do so, former lieutenant and traitor to the vampire Crown, Nikolai must seek help from the red-hooded temptress he needs to avoid at all costs. The secret he carries could prove dangerous for her if she gets too close...even though keeping her close—very close—is the only thing on his mind.

Sienna will do anything for the Black Lily, and when Nikolai asks for her assistance to gain the trust of the commonwealth, it's the last thing she wants to do. The thought of leaving her woods and her wolves behind is terrifying...not to mention the danger being with Nikolai poses.

Linda's Thoughts:
“There is no place far enough that you can run. If a doe flees into the forest as far as her legs will carry her, does not the wolf simply follow?”

The Red Lily is the second fantastic installment in Juliette Cross’ Vampire Blood series. I’ve read this series out of order having started with the third book and am going back now to catch up before the series concludes with The Emerald Lily at the end of this month. I’m soooo glad I have as each book has been phenomenal making me hunger for more, more, more. Each of the books is a sensual paranormal fractured retelling of a popular fairy tale. The resulting new versions are no longer tales for children. The first book retold Cinderella. This book, The Red Lily, is the author’s parody of Little Red Riding Hood complete with wolves with the delicious addition of vampires! The third book recounted Snow White and the final book will feature a revised Sleeping Beauty.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the covers, which drew me to the series in the first place. I could salivate on the covers alone.

The Red Lily is the story of the beautiful woman of the mystical Silvane Forest, Lady Sienna, and Nikolai, Price Marius’ best friend who has joined him in fighting the evil that is the Varis’ monarchy. These characters were both first introduced in The Black Lily, but you do not need to have read it to fully enjoy this entry. As the tale opens, the forces of good vs evil are massing their armies. The Black Lily resistance needs a much larger force to stand a chance against the wicked Queen and her venomous minions. Arabelle, the leader of the Resistance and Sienna’s friend, has asked Sienna to travel village-to-village within Varis to rally for their cause. Sienna is determined to help the resistance any way she can no matter the cost to her own well being. The need to take down the cruel Vampire Queen Morgrid and her blood mad army once and for all is paramount. Nikolai has volunteered to accompany her as her guide and guardian in this perilous mission.

Unknown to Nikolai, Sienna has been erotically dreaming of Nikolai every night. Nikolai holds close his own secrets regarding Sienna. He’s hard pressed to resist her charms and the scent of her sweet blood. Will he be her protector or will she need protection from him?

Wow. Little Red Riding has grown up and the story has been reforged into a fiery hot tale of two individuals whose passions cannot be denied. Still my beating heart…  Nikolai is a dark, brooding hero, alpha to the core, who knows what he wants and determined to prevail. He possesses a strong strength of will, but he cannot resist Sienna when she doesn’t hold back and lays her feelings bare. Seriously, the chemistry between these two is combustible. That said, I loved everything about this story: the steam, the heart-stopping action and their story!

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from The Red Lily:

“I want to tear these clothes off of you and taste every inch of your skin. I want to lick you between your thighs till you slide away into oblivion. I want to drive my cock inside you and mark you so deep that you know you are mine. I want to make you come so hard that you beg me to do it again. And again. And again.”
--- 

“Feeling your body beneath me was the closest to heaven that I shall ever come.” He spoke not in a whisper but on an intimate level, his voice rolling like the caress of dark velvet. “Your skin, your mouth, your body, your sweet, sweet moans, and your blood… I want them all. I want quite a bit more, actually. So you best prepare yourself, my lady. Since I’m already damned, I aim to have all of you. I want to see that look of ecstasy on your face over and over again when I’m buried deep inside you and you’re screaming my name.”
--- 

“Is it always like that?” she asked, almost too shy, but enjoying the intimacy that had grown between them in the dark. 
“No.” He flatted his palm, fingers spread, over her abdomen under the covers. “It will be better next time.” 
“Better?”     
He laughed and lowered his head, sweeping his lips across hers. 
Then he whispered, “Wait till you see what it feels like when I’m buried deep inside you.”  

I have never read any books by this author until I discovered this series. I have obviously been missing out and can’t wait to check out even more of this author’s books soon. The books are masterfully-written with vivid imagery. If you thought you loved the first book in this series, wait until you dive into The Red Lily! Nikolai’s and Sienna’s story is stunning. Just a warning, there’s a few scenes that are devastatingly horrible to envision. I gasped, sobbed and swooned. But, all is righted in the end… just keep turning the pages. If you are a fan of paranormal fantasies featuring exciting supernatural figures and quests, I’d highly recommend that you check out Juliette Cross’ Vampire Blood series.



Suggested Reading Order: 
Book #1 The Black Lily
Book #2 The Red Lily
Book #3 The White Lily
Book #4 The Emerald Lily – Series Finale! Coming Jan 29, 2018!