Also by this author: Evil Red, Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, Aurora Sky: Vampire HunterNoel 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 discovers a shocking secret along the way.
(STAKEOUT is an Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter novella told from Noel Harper’s POV. Approximately 54,000 words.
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My Review
It’s no secret that I loved the other books in the Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter series. I had some sort of funky issues with the first one, but despite the problems I had I still loved the story and ideas underneath.
Stakeout focuses on the story of Noel. It runs concurrently with some of what is going on in the 2nd book, Northern Lights. We get glimpses into what else is going on, but not so many details that it overtakes this book. We learn more about Noel and more details about her past and how she ended up being an informant. She really has a tragic past that makes you want to just hug her. She is easy to identify with and your heart really goes out to her for what she has been through.
Some of our favorite characters make appearances in this novella as well, such as Fane, Dante, Henry, Graham, and Marcus. Even our favorite evil redhead that we love to hate is there. Valerie is still up to her usual nasty tricks. God I hate her!
Jefford takes the reader on a little bit of a joyride with Noel and Dante while they go on assignment. We are given some insight into why Noel and Dante acted the way they did at the end of Northern Lights.
There really wasn’t a whole lot to this novella in my opinion. I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. We get what we have come to expect from the author in the way that there is great writing, witty comebacks, sarcasm, mystery, and a bit of angst. It really does carry its own even as a novella instead of a full length book. I’m not a huge fan of books that tell the same story from a different character’s POV, but that’s not what this was. It’s a different character in the same story with a different POV because she is experiencing different scenarios, so I don’t see it the same way.
We see more of Dante and his anti-Vamp tirades, which in my opinion is old and annoying but not because it’s talked about a lot. It’s more because it reminds me a lot of people who are anti-gay or racist or whatever bigotry you prefer. I want to slap him, to shut the hell up and quit being such an opinionated jerk; to quit judging people without knowing them and all that.
Overall, I loved this story just as I have loved Jefford’s other books. It had a nice flow, realistic characters that were easy to identify with (except for a few obviously who are jerks), the writing was witty and fun and we are given new perspectives to consider. There was excitement and intrigue.
I would recommend this whole series to anyone who would like a different concept of vampires and vampire hunters, where they come from, what their potential is, and want to experience a whole new world.
Excerpt
“If it turns out that one of your addresses houses vampires, I want my hunters to position themselves for feeding. Your duty, your only duty tonight, is to do the poisoning,” Agent Melcher said looking between Dante and Aurora. “After which I want you to step aside and let your partner go in for the kill.”
“No, way,” Dante said. “I’m all about follow up.”
“You’re lucky we’re sending you back in the field at all,” Agent Crist said.
“One more thing,” Melcher said. “I don’t want either you or Aurora carrying a weapon.”
“What if our partner chokes?” Dante demanded.
“I won’t choke,” Valerie said.
“Neither will I,” I said quickly. Thanks a lot, Dante. It was one thing to think it, but to say it in front of everyone—not cool.
“Dante,” Melcher said patiently. “Your blood is your weapon and both my informants are highly trained.”
Damn straight. Being short gave me better access when doing a move I called “The Nut Cruncher.” Maybe Dante needed a demo.
“No weapons, no killing. Roger that,” Dante said. “When do we get started?”
“Immediately,” Melcher said.
I lifted off my seat. No time like the present. It beat going back to the apartment.
Valerie bumped into me on the way out of the office. “Excuse you,” I said.
“Good luck, Noel,” Valerie said. “You’re going to need all the prayers you can get seeing as the vamps gutted the last informant who worked with Dante.”
“I’ll be fine, but thanks for your concern.” Why did someone like Valerie Ward have to share the same blood type with me? Nature fucked up on that one.
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