Reviews of Matters of the Blood:
"Authors take note: Matters of the Blood is everything a paranormal novel
should
be. It has a deep (and baffling) mystery, plenty of action, tantalizing romance,
a plot thick with twists and turns, and a unique locale as the story's
backdrop....Lima's fresh writing style is unlike anything I've read in this
genre, and it took a little while to adjust to my new surroundings. Once I was
hooked though, I couldn't help but fall in love....This is an absolutely
spectacular addition to the paranormal landscape, and I'm
praying on bended knee for a sequel. Novels of this caliber are few and far
between....Keep this author on your watch list. She'll be going places and fast.
I can't
wait for the sequels, and pray that she will continue expanding on the rich
history and personalities of the characters. All in all, this is one of the best
titles that I have read in a long time. It's a classy, teasing tale riddled with
intrigue and paranormal bliss."--BookFetish
"Lima's Matters of the Blood is a seductive gem, with a soul of darkness
that's as soft
and sensuous as black velvet. Readers will find themselves buying into all of
it, from
Keira's evolution, to her 2000-year-old brother, to the dishy neighborhood
vampire who
is nothing like any blood-sucker you've ever read before. Lima's voice is mature
and commanding,
especially remarkable for a first novel, with just the slightest trace of
'otherness,' evidence
that this butt-kicking protagonist isn't like you and me." -- Accent
"Another kick-ass heroine enters the paranormal arena in Lima's bloodthirsty
whodunit. Feisty Keira narrates with a biting sense of humor...."(4
stars) -- Romantic Times
"Matters of the Blood has a fast pace that never lags, suspense to keep
the reader turning pages, paranormal beings including shape shifters and
vampires and a personality of its own....It's a complex plot with the requisite
twists and turns of a mystery, the
passion of a paranormal romance and the unearthly elements of urban fantasy. All
in all, Matters of the Blood is a wonderful start to Blood Lines." --
SFSite
"Maria Lima rings some refreshing changes on the urban-fantasy formula in
Matters of the Blood. The two most striking departures from cliche, to my mind,
are the heroine's age (37, rather than early twenties), and the story's
vividly-drawn rural-Texas setting. I loved the locale. Lima does a great job of
making the lonely town of Rio Seco real to the reader....
I think my favorite moment in Matters of the Blood occurred when two characters
"came out" of the supernatural closet to each other, and one of them didn't
believe in the type of entity that the other confessed to being. It cracked me
up, and is unique in the genre; usually, the various types of supernatural
beings are all aware of each other's existence.
Matters of the Blood is quirky, sexy, sometimes quite funny, and worth
reading if you're a fan of urban fantasies with a substantial helping of
romance. I look forward to seeing what Lima, and Keira, do next. (4
stars) -- Fantasy
Literature
"Nothing is black and white in Maria Lima's world, and each character has a
multifaceted past with a great deal of complexity.
The depth of her characters helps perpetuate the mystery, as the reader can
never quite tell whose secrets are dark enough to
land them as the criminal. It's hauntingly realistic for paranormal fiction.
Matters of the Blood is filled with plot twists
and artful surprises. Lima builds incredible suspense and allows the reader to
savor each revelation. The story is paced well,
with fully developed characters and a host of supernatural beings. It's escapism
at its best."--BreeniBooks
"Within three pages I was hooked,
the narrator's voice drawing me into her story with her brilliant turn of
phrase....This
is an excellent book, readable and gripping with varied characters, an
interesting
plot and a great setting in small-town Texas. The narrator's voice has an
interesting
blend of emotion and humor, and she makes some great side comments throughout
the story."
(5 Stars) -- Curled Up
With A Good Book
"A superb paranormal whodunit with a touch of romance and with plenty of
interwoven subplots that will elate fans of various sub-genres, but the center
holding this superb tale together is the likable Keira who makes the abnormal
seem so normal." -- Alternative Worlds
"Debut author Maria Lima has created an intriguing and diverse supernatural
society
in Matters of the Blood, with a spunky, entertaining lead in Keira Kelly.
The story
is nicely written and the first person point of view keeps the action totally
focused
on Keira as she tries to link the mystery surrounding Marty's death with the
secluded
ranch killings. There's also plenty of sexual tension, chemistry and machismo as
two love
interests vie for Keira's attention. Along the way Lima introduces more of
Keira's eccentric
relatives as well as intriguing speculation concerning Keira's own burgeoning
supernatural
talents" -- BookLoons
"FIVE STARS! The entire trilogy will be released by the end of October
2009. I love that because it means I will not have to wait six months or a year
between titles.
Instead of writing a typical human and vampire saga, this author has two inhuman
characters as the main couple. Only a few of the local residents show up as
characters in this first title. That is probably due to the fact that readers
need to learn the main/secondary characters and their backgrounds for the
trilogy. Part mystery, part paranormal romance, and all suspense, I fully expect
this author to gain a large fan base. Very well
done!"--Huntress Reviews
From the opening sentence (I know the dead and the dead know me), it just grabs
hold of your imagination and refuses to let go. At times chilling, bordering on
turning this into a thriller, Maria Lima certainly knows how to get the blood
pumping. She also knows seduction: she makes eating a steak an erotic experience, without
a hit of flesh being shown!...Ms Lima has created a whole set of really
really cool characters. Keria, the kick-arse female lead, who's going through a
couple of changes; Bea, her super cool, super supportive rock to lean on best
friend (don't we all need one of those!); Tucker, Keira's slightly enigmatic
brother, who's all strong and wolflike; the very sexy Adam, who has that slight
hidden sensitive side that we all love in strong men; and of course a few bad
guys and unknown elements dotted around the place.
"Matters of the Blood is very well written. The story flows, the characters are
likeable, believable and interesting. There is a level of emotional engagement
that makes you really get involved in the story and want to keep reading.
"This is certainly a page turner! Expect to be left a little breathless, either
through being seduced or horrified, it's all action, all the way!"--Fangtastic Fiction
"Matters of the Blood is a new twist on the paranormal genre. Rich in paranormal
activity, passionate and romantic moments, and a murder to solve is just the
icing on the cake. I'm really looking forward to more of how Kiera's character
evolves with book two, Blood Bargain. If you're looking for some urban fantasy
with a touch of romantic suspense, then pick up Matters of the Blood. Sinfully
enjoyable!"--Romance Junkies
"...all the best Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance I've read have a great mystery
running through them tying the story together. Matters of the Blood is no
exception to that. Plus, it's a really terrific one... Ms. Lima's a true talent
is weaving subplots throughout Matters of the Blood that will get picked up in
subsequent books... Ms. Lima is also a first rate on at making her her
non-human characters completely human with all of our strengths and failings.
Doesn't matter if you're 37-year-old Keira or her 1200+-year-old brother Tucker.
Making both her female and male characters almost vibrate off the page with
charm, sensuality and sexuality really makes the story spark as well. This isn't
often for me, but my favourite non-lead character is Keira's brother Tucker.
Either by conscious design or just from him being larger than life, Tucker has a
penchant for taking over almost every scene he's in....Matters of the Blood is a
slow starter in the way a good roller coaster is with all the pitches and rolls
that comes with it. You may find yourself wanting more of Keira's back-story at
the end of Matters of the Blood, but I believe that's done by design. You will
know that all of the promises and clues that Ms. Lima drops in Matters of the
Blood will be picked up again and fulfilled in subsequent novels.
"All in all Maria Lima makes me break two of my longest standing rules since I've
started this blog: I never give a first time author nor do I give the first in a
series 4 stars. Matters of the Blood joyfully reminded me that rules are meant
to be broken.
"Matters of the Blood receives a Classic rating of 4 out of 4 stars."--Preternaural Reviews
"This is the first novel in a series called the Blood Lines and it has something
to satisfy every type of supernatural fantasy fan. The novel delivers its share
of hot vampires with a hot human or two thrown in as well.... The author, Maria
Lima, gives us a new approach to the vampire storyline that is fresh,
unpredictable and a good read. Since the characters have the ability to become
any type of creature, you never know what to expect. And, since Keira doesn't
know what she'll 'change' into, you can't forsee how she'll handle her various
dilemmas. This makes for exciting plot potential in both this and future novels
in the series. Matters Of The Blood is a vampire novel for the vampire novel
lover to love. Happy reading!" [Also called "awesome" in related review]"--
Best Fantasy Stories
"A dark, seductive, and bitingly humorous debut novel...a must-read for fans
of campy/creepy paranormal fiction....This is one paranormal super-thriller
you should 'bump' to the top of your to-be-read pile." -- Heartstrings
"A great page-turner...." -- The Bookshelf Reviews
"Maria Lima moves the supernatural to small-town Texas, with nosy neighbors and
family eccentrics and a whole lot of magic. Her characters may be psychics,
vampires, and werewolves, but first and foremost, they're people you'll want to
read more about." -- Toni L.P. Kelner, co-editor of Many Bloody Returns
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