When it comes to vampire romances with equal parts heat, danger, and heart, Laurie London’s Sweetblood series has us hooked fang-first. Tempted by Blood by Laurie London gives bad-boy Guardian Jackson Foss his turn in the spotlight, complete with dangerous cravings, sizzling chemistry, and a heroine who refuses to be tamed. And as a treat for our readers, Laurie is sharing an exclusive prequel teaser that offers a flirty, revealing glimpse into Jackson’s world before the book begins.

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

What is Tempted by Blood by Laurie London all about?

In Tempted by Blood by Laurie London, guardian Jackson Foss is battling his dark urges, but protecting Arianna Wells may push him past the point of control. Arianna is smart, stubborn, and unwilling to be anyone’s damsel, yet danger is closing in, and Jackson may be the only thing standing between her and a merciless enemy.

Tempted by Blood by Laurie London Book Review

Laurie London delivered another great installment of the Sweetblood Series. Ms. London’s world of the Vampire Guardians vs. the Dark Bloods continues and this book is no different from the rest, outright addictive. Jackson Foss has been one of my most anticipated characters. From the first time I met him in Book 1, Bonded by Blood, I knew there was more to him then just a plain brute. I remember him specifically when he helped Dom set up some road signs for Mckenzie and when he was flirting with Lilly in the Gym flexing his muscles. Jackson is a bad boy; this guy is very hot (hence the cover, whom I pictured the whole time reading this book), inked, well endowed and well accessorized.*cough*.

Unfortunately, Jackson has gone to a point of reverting (blood addiction) and well, sh*t around him is falling apart. One of the Sweetbloods he protected has somehow fallen into more danger than usual. Do you remember “Krystal with a K” from the previous book? She is one of the Sweetbloods Jacks had rescued. I actually expected her to be our heroine. Boy, was I wrong.

Arianna Wells is Krystal’s cousin and guardian. She is also our hard headed, smart and very independent heroine. I like her. She’s a straight shooter. She figures out what she wants and tries very hard to achieve or acquire it. She’a good for Jackson, someone who is not a push-over and will keep our hero in check.

They meet in an unfortunate incident as both Arianna and Krystal were being attacked by Dark Bloods. Jackson protects them but his protection would need to go beyond his usual task.
Their attraction was strong from the get go. But both had trust issues, not quite a love-hate relationship but hurdles with a “should-I-stay-should-I-go” syndrome. Although it was frustrating, it makes their love scenes super intense and leave you wanting more! And the ending was a tear jerking surprise.

My only complain and note that this is a personal opinion; I felt certain parts of Tempted by Blood by Laurie London were a bit wordy and the parts I wanted more of were cut short. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next installment of this series.

Maidens, we are thrilled to have the amazing, Laurie London here today. She’s written an exclusive teaser especially for UTC. So without further ado, let’s enjoy this teaser from Tempted by Blood by Laurie London… have at it, girl!

Exclusive Teaser from Tempted by Blood by Laurie London

Thanks for having me on today to celebrate the launch of Tempted by Blood, the third book in the Sweetblood series. I thought it’d be fun to head over to a bar with a few friends. Grab your drink of choice and come join us!

(In case you don’t know Jackson, he’s the playboy charmer hero of Tempted by Blood by Laurie London. The events here occur before the book opens…just so you’re clear he’s not a total ass.)

Jackson enters Big Daddy’s Pub and looks around. Given that it’s early evening, the place is only half full.

Not normally his kind of hangout—he prefers the Pink Salon with all the beautiful people, not bars like this one that cater to the male, blue-collar crowd right after work—he’s surprised when a human waitress catches his eye. Her black mini and ankle boots make her legs go on forever and her sultry dark hair skims her shoulders. She’s curvy in all the right places and he finds himself wondering if she likes to party.

Maybe coming here tonight isn’t a bust after all.

He drags in a deep breath but can’t get a read on her blood type, instead smelling stale beer, burgers, and old cigarette residue from when the indoor smoking law changed. Not noticing a ring on her finger—he’s made that mistake before and it sure as hell wasn’t going to happen again—he heads in her direction to say hi, to see how late she’s working. He can almost see her nametag. Francesca?

“Hey, over here.” Mitch, his partner, is waiving from a table near the dartboards.

Jackson hesitates. He’s really been trying to appear “normal” to his peers. No one needs to know how hard he’s been working to keep his dark nature under control. He casts one last glance at the woman then heads over to where several of the Guardians from the Seattle field office are sitting.

Since it’s before 9pm, the bar is open to minors, so maybe it’s for the best that the waitress doesn’t have this section. His thoughts and potential actions would not be appropriate with children present.
He glances at Mackenzie holding her squirming son on her lap. Miguel looks like a mini version of his father, Dom, who is cutting the food on his plate into little bites. Alfonso, Dom’s brother, is sitting next to his daughter Zoe and they’re playing some kind of game on his phone.

Funny how these two vampire warriors who probably have a multitude of weapons strapped to their bodies at this very moment can be such devoted, loving fathers.

No, thank you. Settling down is the last thing Jackson wants or needs. In fact, whenever a woman gets too attached to him, he moves on. He grabs a chair next to Mitch, turns it around and sits with his arms folded over the seatback.

“Jacks, what’s up, eh?” Lily tosses a handful of straws on the table that she must’ve gotten from the bar, unwraps one and puts it into her beer.

“Not much. Mitch and I are on duty tonight later. Got a line on some Darkbloods who might be selling Sweet down at the Market around midnight.”

“Bast— I mean, jerks.” Lily says, correcting herself. She’s been trying to watch her language around their daughter, but it’s obviously not working. If it hadn’t been for Alfonso, the girl would probably be speaking like a truck driver by now.

After a dinner of burgers and fries, Mackenzie stands up, holding Miguel. “It’s been fun, but someone I know needs to get to bed.” Dom pushes away from the table, but she puts her hand on his shoulder.  “You stay here with everyone. It’s important that you spend time like this with your Guardians that doesn’t involve killing Darkbloods.”

Jackson takes a long drink from his beer and notices Alfonso and Zoe whispering. All this family togetherness, while white-picket-fence nice, makes him feel…awkward. It’s something he knows he’ll never experience.

“Aunt Mackenzie,” Zoe says, “we’ll take Miguel back if you want to stay.”

Lily nods. “I’m not working tonight, so we planned to head back early anyway.”

Mackenzie looks at Dom who shrugs, then she turns her attention back to their son. “What do you think, mister? Want to hang out with your cousin tonight?”

A big grin cracks the little boy’s face, making his fat cheeks look even fatter.

“I guess that means yes,” Mackenzie says, laughing. “Thanks, it’s been a while since Dom and I have spent time with just adults. It’s not like I know a lot of people willing to babysit for—” she looks around to make sure no one is looking “—vampires,” she mouths.

Alfonso grabs his worn leather bomber jacket, but Lily stops him. “Why don’t you stay too? I can take Zoe and Miguel. It’d be good for you to hang out with the guys and have fun.”

“No offense to the them, but I don’t need them like I need you.” Alfonso kisses her.

“Gross,” Zoe says.

“You don’t like when I kiss your mom?” Alfonso dips Lily dramatically, her blond ponytail almost grazing the ground, and kisses her again.

An uncomfortable sensation knots Jackson’s stomach as he realizes just how out of place he is.
“Hey man,” Mitch says under his breath. “Want to head out of here soon?”

Jackson can always count on his partner to watch his back. “Yeah, all this love and tenderness is a little much.”

“Unless you’d rather stay,” Mitch counters. “Check out the two women over there.” Mitch nods his head toward the bar.

The dark-haired waitress is standing next to another waitress, one with silky long black hair and a mischievous dimple that promises more than a heaping plate of fries.

Jackson smiles back at them and the first one waves. “On second thought, maybe we should stay after all.”

Copyright 2012 Tempted by Blood by Laurie London | Posted in collaboration with the author

About the Sweetblood series by Laurie London

Set in the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, the Sweetblood series delivers standalone paranormal romances packed with danger, found-family bonds, and swoony heroes. Guardians protect rare sweetblood humans from Darkblood rogues, but love always raises the stakes.

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