Book Review: Because the Night by Kristen Strassel

Because the Night (The Night Songs Collection #1) by Kristen Strassel

Genre: New Adult (Paranormal Romance) 

Date Published: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Foreword Literary

The Blurb:

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.

Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.

Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.

But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

My Review:

Because the Night is the first book in the Night Songs Collections by Kristen Strassel. I expected this book to be all sex, drugs, rock & roll, and vampires, because well.. that's what the blurb tells us. However, I expected some sort of positive growth among the characters, and to me that just didn't happen. The story pretty much kept to the stereotypes with little to no deviation. The characters didn't mature. If anything their behavior got worse. I didn't find the main character to be very believable and didn't get her behavior at all. I kept yelling "Why??" at the book. Even before she's under the blood lust, she does so many things that were so darn frustrating. If you really love someone, you just don't do the things she did. I think Tristan and Callie are pretty perfect for each other, and that's not really a good thing. Blade was my favorite character, by far. Unfortunately, he's gone for a lot of the book, but I saw enough of his behavior and personality to know that I really liked him. I'm kind of excited about how the book ended. Yes, it was a cliffhanger, but I really hope it's leading to a turning point for Callie. Will I read the next one? Yes, because after that ending, I really want to know what happens.

The ARC of Because the Night by Kristen Strassel was provided to me by the Rockstar Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.

About the Author:
Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross.  She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are.  She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author.  She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house.  Because The Night is the first book from The Night Songs Collection.
Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

To learn more about Kristen Strassel and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

Because the Night Blog Tour!!

Because the Night (The Night Songs Collection #1) by Kristen Strassel

Genre: New Adult (Paranormal Romance) 

Date Published: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Foreword Literary

The Blurb:

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.


Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.


Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.


But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

Review coming soon!

The Excerpt:

The next thing I knew we were in his apartment.  I knew it from TV, the huge living area, the plush red chairs, the huge floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the city.  Still, actually being here was a different thing all together. God, I hoped we weren’t being filmed. That wasn’t constant, was it?
Tristan spun me towards him. His hands were so cold. Why hadn’t I noticed that before?  I could hardly breathe. 
“What are you doing here, Callie?”
My heart sank to my knees. This wasn’t the greeting I hoped for. It was more of an inquisition. “I’m on vacation.”
“Why here? You’re not old enough to have fun yet.” He jerked his head toward the window. “Out there, anyway.”
“I have a fake ID.” I protested. But I knew that wasn’t what he meant.  “And I wanted to see you.”
“You shouldn’t have come here.” His face darkened.
“You don’t want me here?”  I felt tears welling up in my eyes.  No, I couldn’t cry.  Not now.
“Oh, I do,” a slow grin spread over his face, but it had an edge. “But you shouldn’t be here.”  His slid his tongue over his teeth as he waited for my answer to his original question, settling on one very sharp tooth, playing with it, daring me to notice.
I winced, like I had been stung.  I hated those stupid fangs. Why didn’t he take them out after the show?
I didn’t have time to process it before he was suddenly on top of me.  His hands closed on my arms, and he pinned me against the window with my feet dangling in midair, unable to even struggle. Icy cold radiated from his body like I was standing near an iceberg. He paused, fangs like icicles inches from my face, but no breath, not even freezing cold breath caressed my face.
I couldn’t even open my mouth to scream.  All the things I wanted to ask him, all the things I wanted to say, they didn’t matter now.
It was true. God, it was all true.
Whatever he was, he certainly wasn’t human.  My eyes were wide and frozen, staring into his, unblinking. I wanted to lose myself in their dark depths, swirling with danger and desire.
“Didn’t you know what I was when you came here?” he finally broke the silence; loosening his hold on me just enough that I slid down the window.  He cocked his head thoughtfully, still grinning, and stroked my neck with one cool finger. 
He enjoyed this.
I wanted to tell him to get the hell away from me, but I couldn’t.  He made my heart race and sent a shiver down my spine.  Even in his monster form.

Week One

Oct. 21st - Reading In Twilight - Review + Interview
Oct. 22nd - Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Character Interview
Oct. 23rd - Pen and Muse - Interview
Oct. 24th - Curling Up With A Good Book - Guest Post
Oct. 25th - BookHounds - Review

Week Two

Oct. 28th - Urban Fantasy Land - Guest Post
Oct. 29th - What's Beyond Forks - Excerpt
Oct. 30th - The Girl in a Cafe - Review
Oct. 31st - Alphas Authors & Books Oh My  - Review + Interview
Nov. 1st - Moonlight Gleams - Review + Guest Post

About the Author:
Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross.  She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are.  She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author.  She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house.  Because The Night is the first book from The Night Songs Collection.
Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

To learn more about Kristen Strassel and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Save the Date!! Because the Night Book Blast!

SAVE THE DATE

WHAT: The BECAUSE THE NIGHT Blog Tour

WHEN: October 21st to 25th & October 28th to November 1st

WHERE: A blog near you. Check listings below for details

Because the Night (The Night Songs Collection #1) by Kristen Strassel

Genre: New Adult (Paranormal Romance) 

Date Published: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Foreword Literary

The Blurb:

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.


Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.


Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.


But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

The Excerpt:

Instead of bringing us out to seats in the audience, Tony led us to the side of the stage to a spot just behind the curtain, feet away from Tristan.  When he spotted me, he winked at me like we shared a private joke, and continued with his performance.  I sucked in my breath and held on for the ride.

Being so close to the band as they put on their show was much more intimate than the first time we saw them. The heat of the flash pots made the faces of the background dancers glow.  We moved out of the way as the roadies scrambled to change instruments for the band.  I strained my eyes to read all the notes plastered on the stage.  I peeked around the curtain every so often to get a look at the crowd, who were completely enthralled with everything the band did. 

But mostly, I just watched Tristan.  Tonight he wore his signature black leather pants, which clung dangerously low below his hipbones.  They ended in black combat boots that were casually untied.  He topped the outfit off with a black T shirt adorned with an intricate white pattern that clung like a second skin.  His eyes were heavily rimmed with black liner and his hair hung in his face, down on his chest and back.  It swung around him as he roamed all over the stage.  His fingers moved over his guitar seductively, teasing it, bringing it to the brink of hysteria then coaxing it back down to a purr.  Almost as if he was making love to it.

The thought made me flush all over.  I could hardly bear to watch him, but I couldn’t look away.

Tristan walked off the stage before I was ready to stop watching him.  He came right to me. 

“Look who’s my date tonight,” his eyes moved down my body. 

“You have a date tonight?” I glanced behind me before it hit me. He meant me.

“Yes,” he reached out and put his hands on my hips.  Even after running around on stage under those bright lights for over an hour, he hadn’t so much as broken a sweat. His stage makeup was still perfect.   He leaned in so he could speak close to my ear.  “And she looks fabulous in her little black dress.”

“Thanks,” I managed, but it didn’t seem like enough, looking up at Tristan, with his eyes just inches from mine.  We might as well have been in another universe. The music on the stage had resumed.  “Don’t you have to go back out on stage?”

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine.  “It’s just his solo.  And truthfully, Callie, the show will start again whenever I decide to go back out there.  They can wait.”

“Oh.” I gulped so hard it hurt.  What was he going to do?

But I am going to go back out there, just for a few minutes.  I want this part of the night to be over so I can spend the rest of the evening with my date.”  He leaned in, kissing me chastely on the lips, like we had just done this yesterday, like he hadn’t ever walked out of my life, and then turned to walk back out on stage.   My legs felt like jelly.  I wrapped my arms around my midsection and half leaned, half fell against the equipment case next to me.  Every time I looked at him, I slipped in deeper over my head.

Keisha brought me back to this realm by whacking my arm.  “Girl. That was hot.”

Week One

Oct. 21st - Reading In Twilight - Review + Interview
Oct. 22nd - Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Character Interview
Oct. 23rd - Pen and Muse - Interview
Oct. 24th - Curling Up With A Good Book - Guest Post
Oct. 25th - BookHounds - Review

Week Two

Oct. 28th - Urban Fantasy Land - Guest Post
Oct. 29th - What's Beyond Forks - Review
Oct. 30th - The Girl in a Cafe - Review
Oct. 31st - Alphas Authors & Books Oh My  - Review + Interview
Nov. 1st - Moonlight Gleams - Review + Guest Post

About the Author:
Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross.  She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are.  She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author.  She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house.  Because The Night is the first book from The Night Songs Collection.
Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

To learn more about Kristen Strassel and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.