“Dangerous, sexy, and gripping!” ~InD’tale Magazine
A seductive spy. A powerful vampire. A deadly assassin after them both…
When a rogue vampire group emerges from the shadows to enslave mortals, Cerissa Patel is the only one with an inside track to stop them.
The catch – she must go undercover in a vampire-controlled town where an assassin is on the loose and everyone is a suspect, … everyone is a suspect, including herself.
Worse, she must resist her shameless desire for vampire Henry Bautista. He’s rich, dangerous, and as intoxicating as the wines he makes, and he will do anything to stop her from hurting the community he built.
With Henry watching her every move, she must uncover who’s behind the rogue vampires and stop the assassin before Henry discovers what’s hidden beneath her skin.
Because if he does, she won’t make it out alive…
If you like the worlds of Deborah Harkness, Charlaine Harris, or Jeaniene Frost, then you will love this first installment in the Hill Vampire series.
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Really well-written, with fascinating world-building, great characters, and a steamy romance (gotta love the hot Spanish vampire, lol)… not to mention a fascinating mystery at the heart of it and lots of action. I really loved everything about this, and immediately bought the next book in the series once I’d finished. I still have so many questions about the world and how it works / intersects with the human world, and of course the romance is just beginning in book one, along with the longer plot arcs. Definitely recommend!
This is a very well-written and crafted story about forbidden love. Cerissa is a wonderful heroine, working hard to make life easier for vampires, which will, in turn, make life easier and safer for mortals. She is on a mission and has no intention of falling in love, but Henry Bautista is too much of a gentleman for her to ignore.
This is a very suspenseful story with many impediments that Cerissa has to handle. The characters have many reasons not to trust each other, but they go forward with much maturity. I enjoyed that VERY much.
Their love for each other is very true, very steamy and very romantic. I loved all of their scenes together.
The mystery part of this story kept me guessing throughout. The author weaves a very intricate plot, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I enjoyed the first book in this series and look forward to the rest. Henry and Cerissa’s love is very strong and is tested a great deal. It was a great book.
This is not your typical vampire read! Filled with murder, suspense, mystery, intrigue, this is an exclusive vampire community set in a vineyard and has a fab storyline and fab characters! A great paranormal romance that will grab you from the start and not let you go!
NO spoilers
Barwin had crafted a very unique and complex world that puts a new spin on vampire culture as well as angelic origins.
This is a first in series and does end on a bit of a cliff hanger so don’t throw your readers
Dark Wine at Midnight blends mystery and suspense with a sweet slow build romance.
This is a somewhat detailed read being the first in series. We are introduced to the different factions as well as various characters as well as given some background details to better understand them.
The driving force behind the factions, as well as the tension between some of the characters, seems to be the idea of change. As with any society, rules eventually become outdated and change is necessary – though many fear to leave the comfort of the known – it works why mess with it? I found it interesting that one of the factions set itself up as judge and jury – I am sure you can guess who. Dark Wine has a few secondary plotlines that are interwoven within the story to create a very engaging and entertaining read.
I enjoyed that the female leads were ‘mostly’ (you will see) intelligent and independent. It seemed that some of the older male members still have that archaic mindset, which at times, I found quite amusing. (Awww the love of a good woman – this was a touch I enjoyed)
The characters are diverse and vibrant each bringing a different perspective to the storyline and easily complementing one another.
I know I say this a lot but being a first in series the author provides a lot of brickwork with regards to the series foundation and for some this can feel like a lull within the story, it is a necessary evil for a solid series. I do suggest watching the little things – I promise they make a big impact when put in their proper place in the bigger picture.
There are so many directions this series can go and I am truly excited to see what happens next. Definitely, recommend for those who enjoy a more complex paranormal series.
Dark Wine at Midnight by Jenna Barwin is the first book in the Hill Vampire series. This being the author’s debut novel I had no idea what to expect in terms of delivery. The synopsis, however promised danger, seduction and suspense and it was this promise that drove my decision to pick up this book. In the end, I am glad I did.
Dr. Cerissa Patel was recruited by the Lux to go undercover in the vampire community as it was rumored that a rogue vampire group has emerged and is a threat to humankind. Her job was to uncover the mastermind behind the group and the plans that were afoot.
She is not keen on the assignment, but the compensation would be worth it as it would mean becoming an envoy for the vampires and in return, her dream of owning her own lab would come to fruition. Cerissa will discover, however that her task would not be an easy one.
She had her work cut out for her. The residents of the Hill did not trust her and it did not help she was an unmated mortal. To top it all, she fell for one of the founders, Henry Bautista.
Henry is a Vampire and wine maker and he was not keen on Cerissa being on the Hill. He believes she will be a distraction, which he confirmed when he realised he was attracted to her. An attraction he could not shake no matter how he tried. Haunted by his past and burdened with guilt as a result he feels he is not deserving of love.
I enjoyed the mystery element. Someone wanted Henry and another founding vampire dead. The suspect pool was small and identifying the villain was not that simple. I managed to figure it out before its revelation.
The characters needed some more development. Descriptions of the major players’ backgrounds were lacking. It would have been nice to have more information on Cerissa’s heritage and that of the other major players. I would love to have more insight about the Lux. What made them different from humans and what abilities they possessed? I love the racial diversity featured in the story.
I believe this is a great start to what appears to be a fantastic Urban Fantasy series. The unique plot and world building pulled me in and held me captive from start to finish. The pacing was ok mostly as there were parts of the story that dragged, but this did not disrupt my enjoyment.
The story ended without a resolution to the reason Cerissa went undercover. I hope will get answers to all questions raised in book two.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall a good read and I am looking forward to dive further into this unique world.
Dark Wine At Midnight is Book 1 in the Hill Vampire Series. This is the first book by Author Jenna Barwin that I have read and it will not be the last. It is truly unique and exceptional. This story was brought to life by her excellent ability to tale a story. Just fell in love with the two MC Cerissa and Henry as her characters and their personalities are so well-developed. The story is very complex with assassination plots, vampire politics, romance between Cerissa and Henry, and involvement of her other characters. If you are looking for a page-turner with action, suspense, politics, romance then this is your book. I am anxiously waiting to see what Ms. Barwin has waiting for us in her next book in series. I highly recommend this exceptionally well written book. Received a copy and this is my voluntary and honest review.
So this is my first read by Jenna Barwin. And I have to say I greatly enjoyed being inside her head for this book.
Dark Wine at Midnight is a vampire book that takes you to a whole nother level of living in their world. This book isn’t your normal every read book.
Dr. Cerissa Patel is the beginning of the book for us. Cerissa is asked to become the envoy to a vampire so that she can spy on Sienna Escondida or The Hill as everyone calls it. Cerissa has been ordered by the Lux (her people) to find out if there is a group of vampires on The Hill going against the charter that protects everyone. So when she shows up and weird things start happening to Henry and Yacov two of the founders of The Hill everyone thinks she is to blame.
Henry doesn’t believe Cerissa is on The Hill to buy property and start her business like she says she is there for. When Henry is shot at and Cerissa saves him she has a lot of explaining to do.
What will happen when Cerissa comes clean with Henry? What happens when more strange things keep happening and Henry is the center of it all?
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy for my honest review.
I can not wait for the next book!!
First let me state, I received an Advance Reader Copy, (ARC), but this in no way influences my review. I always leave an honest review. Also, this is a new author to me, and it won’t be my last.
Holy shiznet!!! Wow I really enjoyed this story. I couldn’t put it down I had to know who was the bad guy. Cerissa wants to build a biotech building in a small vampire community. But to get into the community she has to be a mate to a vampire that lives there or an envoy of another vampire wanting to build in the community. She’s not a mate, but she is an envoy. She’s also not human, but no one knows this. She meets Henry, one of the vampire founders of the community. Sparks fly. There is so much going on, with the community not wanting her there thinking she’s a spy, vampires being targeted for death, & a vampire type uprising to make humans slaves. I can’t wait to read the next book. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up.
This story has the typical world of vampires mixed with something little bit different. The vampire who refuses to fall in love due to his prior sins falls in love with a woman he can’t quite believe. The story is fairly complex with assassination plots, vampire politics and other forces. There are lot more going on than the romance between the couple, and this multifaceted tale will intrigue the readers.