Genre: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
The Vampire’s Witch welcomes readers back to the world of vampires, witches, and magic.
Jaret Bachmann’s life spins out of control after a handsome stranger saves him from an attack along the bike path on Lakeshore Drive. His estranged high school sweetheart stalks him, the enraged ghost of his ancestor destroys his family, and his bike path savior-cum-lover abandons him after learning Jaret is a powerful witch.
A horrific family tragedy sends Jaret into deep depression. Struggling to find his way afterward, Jaret searches for comfort in the unlikely friendship of a secret vampire community.
Over time, Jaret’s friendship with the vampires strengthens and he forges a new family connection with Xavier, Thomas, and Catherine. But he and Anthony are estranged, and though their souls are entwined, their hearts are another matter.
Xavier, Thomas, Anthony, and Catherine return in this, the third book in The Realm of the Vampire Council series and a sequel to The Bachmann Family Secret.
The Review
Jaret Bachmann left his family home in small town of Fremont, Nebraska. He comes from a long line of witches and warlocks who have been murdered by his great-great-grandfather, spirit Henrik. Jaret keeps a ruby necklace with him at all times for protection.
All the Bachmann jewels were empowered with witchcraft for safety. Jaret, being a warlock, did a brave thing with his powers – he captured Henrik’s spirit Henrik and locked it away forever.
Then he moved to the Chicago with his long time boyfriend, Steve, who he thought he would be with forever. But Steve has changed. He is closeted, and wants to drag Jaret back in there with him. Steve only cares about football and the team, and only spends time with Jaret when it’s to his benefit.
Jaret is tired of being humiliated, and is ready to be done with Steve. Being in the big city helps Jaret feel free as a gay man. He may have to be careful, but it was better than living in a small town.
He still fears alleys and dark corners and alleys, and most of all gay bashing. He’s attending college with a History major, and plans on going to graduate school. He’s very close to his sister Jenn and keeps in touch with her constantly. His lovable companion is Darth, who keeps a smile on his face through thick and thin. Brady is his best friend and they really care about each other. They go clubbing together and have a lot of fun. Both dream about attending a Mika concert – Jaret is one of Mika’s biggest fans.
On his way to meet Brady for a night of fun, Jaret walks through a park. He spots a group of guys wearing Northwestern shirts, and he’s sure they’re members of the football team. He’s decides to steer clear of them. Fiddling with his iPod he accidentally bumps into someone, and from there things go downhill fast. He is attacked by the players, and it happens so fast that he can’t get a handle on his magic. When one of them is about to do the most disgusting thing to him, he hears a voice and looks up. What he sees in the tree above him is unbelievable, and he takes off running.
The owner of the voice has no problem finding the exhausted Jaret. Anthony is absolutely stunning, and he’s come to check that Jaret is all right. He returns his iPod and wallet, and helps Jaret get cleaned up. They talk for a long time about the attack, and Jaret tells Anthony it’s because he’s gay. Anthony admits he’s gay too, but even though Jaret likes Anthony, he and his ruby are very suspicious. But Jaret can’t resist spending time with his handsome savior.
As a relationship grows between Anthony and Jaret, everything seems right. But then Anthony, with his own baggage and his belief in the Vampire Counsel rules, devastates Jaret. Even with the support of Xavier and Thomas, Jaret’s life gets turned upside again. His ex, Steve is stalking him and steals a very dangerous iron box from him. As if it couldn’t get any worse, he then faces the most heinous nightmare of all. How much more can Jaret take before he reaches the point of no return?
Serbu does some great world building, with all the supernatural creatures – vampires, witches and spirits – who live in a human world. The old laws of the Vampire Counsel get in the way, as Anthony believes that vampires and witches could never be coupled – the power would be too dangerous. There are so many heartbreaking moments for Jaret that he decides to protect his heart by not caring about anyone anymore. He never wants to feel the hurt again.
I like Jaret. He always tries to be positive, and it’s sad when things go badly for him. I love his dog Darth too – just what Jaret needs for support.
I have issues with Anthony, and I love how Thomas and Xavier aren’t afraid to address the issues that Anthony keeps bringing up.
Serbu humanizes his vampires, who have many of the same problems humans do. Each of the characters has their own personality and issues, which makes the novel even more interesting.
The Vampire’s Witch is the third book of the “Realm of the Vampire Council” series. I recommend starting from the beginning with The Vampire’s Angel and The Vampire’s Quest.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.