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STAKEOUT
Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter Series #2.5
by Nikki Jefford
Publisher: Acron Valley Press (Jan 2014)
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, New Adult
Format: eBook (Novella)
Source: Free book from blog tour for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Summary
At A Glance
Noel Harper got a second chance at life when the government recruited her as an undercover vampire informant. Since the day they brought her back from the good-as-dead, she has wanted to prove herself worthy.
When a member of her investigative unit is murdered, Noel is paired up with a vampire hunter named Dante to spy on a suspect in Fairbanks. The problem? They’re not the only ones on stakeout. Taking down murderous vampires is one thing. Dealing with the past is another. But this time, Noel isn’t letting fear win. She’s calling in help from the other side and learns a shocking secret along the way.
(STAKEOUT is an Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter novella told from Noel Harper’s POV. Approximately 40,000 words.)
When a member of her investigative unit is murdered, Noel is paired up with a vampire hunter named Dante to spy on a suspect in Fairbanks. The problem? They’re not the only ones on stakeout. Taking down murderous vampires is one thing. Dealing with the past is another. But this time, Noel isn’t letting fear win. She’s calling in help from the other side and learns a shocking secret along the way.
(STAKEOUT is an Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter novella told from Noel Harper’s POV. Approximately 40,000 words.)
Boring beginning, amazing ending.
The Good
Have you read this series? Well, if not, you should. It just gets better and better with each book. And book #2, Northern Bites, freaking killed me with a somewhat cliffhanger ending. Something happens in Northern Bites that freaking shredded me. And it had something to do with Noel. So when I saw that Noel was getting her own novella, I was on it like white on rice. I had to know if Jefford was going to reveal why Noel did what she did. And Jefford did not disappoint. OMG, I feel a little better now but I am still not sure if I can ever forgive Fane. He is handling this situation with Aurora all wrong. Not Okay!
Anyways, enough of my rant. Now to Stakeout. I was super excited and satisfied with Noel's POV in this continuing story. She has always been a mystery to me, and now I feel like I really know her. She is so dark but so interesting. Her past made me sad but I am happy she is now doing something she loves and has a decent life. But Noel goes through A LOT of crap in this book and it broke my heart to see her feeling so friendless.
Enter Fane, our hero. Even though Fane is on my sh*tlist with Aurora, he is totally my favorite character in this book. The things he does for Noel almost made me cry. I wish he showed more compassion toward Aurora as he did Noel. Fane is like perfection in this book. If I was Noel I would be throwing myself at Fane, but I loved how these two totally had no romatic feelings toward each other. It was a nice change. Even Dante and Noel had some good times together without it getting awkward. Noel is totally a guy's girl. She is tough and says outrageous things, and I love her more for it. I just wish that d*ck Gavin didn't break her heart. Noel deserves so much better.
The Bad
It was hard for me to get into this book for the first half. I have never been that interested in Noel as a character so I didn't care read about her daily life. And that's what we get in the first half, a day in the life of Noel. I just wanted to get to the good part.
This book focuses on events in the last book but from Noel's POV. These kinds of books are always hard for me to read because I hate the repetition. There wasn't enough new/exciting stuff happening in the beginning to really keep my attention.
The Snuggly
There wasn't much romance. Noel is in like with Gavin but he chooses someone else over her and Noel is devastated. It was quite sad. I hated that Noel felt like no one wanted her. I just hope she finds someone worthy down the road.
There are some sexual scenes with biting and grinding but that's it.
Final Thoughts
If you haven't read the first two books of this series, then reading this in-between novella is useless. This book is only for people who are following this series. But if you do love this series, then Stakeout is a must read. Very recommended.
Quotes
Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter Series
Book #1: Aurora Sky
Book #2: Northern Bites
Book #2.5: Stakeout
~~~
Author BioNikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who found paradise in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands (Wash.) where she is once more neighbors with Canada in a town without a single traffic light. She loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt.
When she's not reading, writing, working, or out on a nature walk, she's out riding her Suzuki DRZ400SM.
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter
This is a tour wide giveaway.
Sounds great to get Noel's perspective even if the beginning was a bit slow.
ReplyDeleteYup, it sure was.
DeleteI'm happy you got that satisfying ending. Somethimes I enjoy these back stories and sometimes I don't. If I love the series, I want to read anything about it:)
ReplyDeleteI agree, if I love the series I will read every book/novella about it.
DeleteOoooh I have the first book that I still need to read. I shall be checking this series out :)
ReplyDeleteChanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
I hope you love it. The first book is odd but good.
DeleteThis sounds like such a fun series and very character driven too which is my #1 reason to pick up a book. Noel sounds mysterious and interesting. I also have heard tons about this Fane fella ;) Great review, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteOh Fane, he is so sexy, complicated, and sexy. I hate to love him!
DeleteA recommendation from you speaks volumes. After I win and read the series, we'll talk. I do love the cover and your review had me cracking up. A guy you love to hate makes for interesting reading.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird how I can hate these characters and love them at the same time.
DeleteOh Fane. Fane and Noel were both pretty high on my shit list before this novella but now...they've dropped farther down the list.
ReplyDeleteYup, exactly how I feel. I am still a little pissed but I feel better.
DeleteI have book 1 (I think) but I'm not quite ready for a vampire book just yet and I already like this, less romance isn't so bad when it comes to books like this! thanks for the feature & giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteBook one is kind of odd but good. Book two was the winner for sure. And I can feel book three is going to be amazing.
Delete"Even though Fane is on my sh*tlist with Aurora, he is totally my favorite character in this book"
ReplyDeletelol - I love characters and situations like that. Damn, I think I should look into this series!
I know, it's so complicated and fun.
DeleteLOL, well your rant at the beginning has me totally curious and I am glad this satisfied you despite the slow start.
ReplyDeletehehe, maybe I should rant more often.
DeleteOhh, this series shares the same as one of my fav contemps. Glad you enjoyed it overall, even though it started off slow and boring!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by.
DeleteI love novellas in a series and new POV's are so much fun. I haven't read this series yet, so this one isn't for me but I'm glad the latter half of the book held your interest. That first picture quote is exceptionally sad :( I hope they all have a happy outcome. Great review! Loved the mini-rant :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteYou would actually love this series. It is totally something you would read.
DeleteCute cover!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. I love those guys that everyone hates to love.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. :)
Delete