Modern Gothic Horror/Paranormal
Bloody AMAZING!
Do yourself a HUGE favour – if you only read ONE horror/vampire themed book this year then make sure that it is this one! I first read Alistair Cross when I reviewed. Darker Shadows: The Ghosts of Ravencrest book 1, his collaborative work with Tamara Thorne, a Gothic erotica which let me salivating for more. In The Crimson Corset Alistair has excelled himself with a tale that not only has a lot of bite but also plays with the readers’ emotions, in one scary, bloody and lust filled ride! Scroll down to read the book blurb and my review in full. Tina ❤
Blurb
Welcome to Crimson Cove
Sheltered by ancient redwoods overlooking the California coast, the cozy village of Crimson Cove has it all: sophisticated retreats, fine dining, and a notorious nightclub, The Crimson Corset. It seems like a perfect place to relax and get close to nature. But not everything in Crimson Cove is natural.
When Cade Colter moves to town, he expects it to be peaceful to the point of boredom. But he quickly learns that after the sun sets and the fog rolls in, the little tourist town takes on a whole new kind of life – and death.
Darkness at the Edge of Town
Renowned for its wild parties and history of debauchery, The Crimson Corset looms on the edge of town, inviting patrons to sate their most depraved desires and slake their darkest thirsts. Proprietor Gretchen VanTreese has waited centuries to annihilate the Old World vampires on the other side of town and create a new race – a race that she alone will rule. When she realizes Cade Colter has the key that will unlock her plan, she begins laying an elaborate trap that will put everyone around him in mortal danger.
Blood Wars
The streets are running red with blood, and as violence and murder ravage the night, Cade must face the darkest forces inside himself, and perhaps even abandon his own humanity, in order to protect what he loves.
“Put Bram Stoker in a giant cocktail shaker, add a pinch of Laurell K. Hamilton, a shot of John Carpenter, and a healthy jigger of absinthe, and you’ll end up with Alistair Cross’s modern Gothic chiller, “The Crimson Corset” – a deliciously terrifying tale that will sink its teeth into you from page one.”
– Jay Bonansinga, New York Times Bestselling author of THE WALKING DEAD: INVASION and LUCID
“This drop-deadly tale of seduction and terror will leave you begging to be fanged … ”
– Tamara Thorne, international bestselling author of HAUNTED and MOONFALL
“I couldn’t put this book down. It’s got more hooks than a day boat out of San Pedro Harbor!”
– QL Pearce, bestselling author of SCARY STORIES FOR SLEEP-OVERS
My Review
Bloody AMAZING! FIVE FANGS! *****
Do yourself a HUGE favour – if you only read ONE horror/vampire themed book this year then be sure to make it The Crimson Corset by Alistair Cross. Horror lovers will adore its unashamed gore and graveyard humour and it has plenty of romance to satisfy paranormal romance fans who fancy a darker, Gothic inspired read!I first read Mr Cross when I reviewed. Darker Shadows: The Ghosts of Ravencrest book 1, his collaborative work with Tamara Thorne, a Gothic erotic which left me salivating for more. In The Crimson Corset Alistair has excelled himself with a tale that not only has a lot of bite but also plays with the readers’ emotions, in one scary, bloody and lust filled ride!
The novel is full of memorable, quirky characters who populate the West Coast tourist town of Crimson Cove. Yet unknown to most, evil exists among them and one powerful vampire temptress, Gretchen VanTresse, has her sights on Cade, who has something she craves very badly indeed…… She will stop at nothing to get her hands on him, regardless of collateral damage, her sights set on ruling her kind and subjugating the human race. Gretchen is a formidable adversary: beautiful, deadly and remorseless in her quest for power. Yet, despite her undeniable evil which borders on madness, I could not help but have a sneaking respect and fascination for her as she is such a great kick-ass character!
Yet Gretchen does not bank on the bonds of brotherly love and friendship which exist between Cade, his big brother Brooks and Ethan the town’s sheriff. These three seriously hot men have each other’s back and when the chips are down they risk life and limb and their own humanity to annihilate her and her cohorts. Add a hefty dose of romance, some intriguing vamps from the other side of town (they are not all evil) to the bloody mix of terror and seduction and you have a read that will remain in your conscious and unconscious mind long into the darkness of the night and beyond……. To reveal more of the plot would spoil the adventure that I urge you embark on by reading this book!
Once more Alistair Cross’ writing and characterisations are truly sublime. The lush, often gothic like descriptions of Crimson Cove after dark contrast well with the seemingly mundane details of everyday life in the small town. The read had me quaking in my boots one minute to smiling at the wry humour and quirky exploits of its characters.
I sincerely hope that Mr Cross has the next book in this series lined up soon as I am itching to learn more about the many characters, humans and vampires, that he introduced. Highly recommended to fans of horror and the paranormal alike.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
Please note, a copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
areadersreviewblog 