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Chicagoland Vampires #10.5
Lucky Break
In Blood Games, vampire Merit bites off more than she bargained for when a romantic trip to a secluded Colorado town turns deadly.
Merit and Ethan are in desperate need of some alone time, far from the worries of Cadogan House, but trouble tends to follow wherever they go. Their attempt at a romantic getaway is quickly interrupted when one of Ethan's vampire friends shows up at their door—covered in blood and accused of killing her shifter husband.
Merit and her Master soon discover their vacation spot is far less idyllic than it appears. A centuries old quarrel between local vampires and shifters has made the town a perpetual supernatural battle zone, and this fresh blood has stirred the already volatile pot. Now, Merit and Ethan must put their passion on pause to figure out who's really responsible for the murder before all hell breaks loose...
Merit and Ethan are in desperate need of some alone time, far from the worries of Cadogan House, but trouble tends to follow wherever they go. Their attempt at a romantic getaway is quickly interrupted when one of Ethan's vampire friends shows up at their door—covered in blood and accused of killing her shifter husband.
Merit and her Master soon discover their vacation spot is far less idyllic than it appears. A centuries old quarrel between local vampires and shifters has made the town a perpetual supernatural battle zone, and this fresh blood has stirred the already volatile pot. Now, Merit and Ethan must put their passion on pause to figure out who's really responsible for the murder before all hell breaks loose...
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
174 people are currently reading
3211 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Neill
65 books10.1k followersChloe Neill is the New York Times bestselling author of the Heirs of Chicagoland, Chicagoland Vampires Novels, Devil's Isle Novels, and Dark Elite novels. Chloe was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest. When she's not writing, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys--her husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout.
Connect with Chloe at www.chloeneill.com.
Connect with Chloe at www.chloeneill.com.
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August 9, 2015
Message to Ethan: Your girlfriend's name is Merit, Dumbass!!
He needs to be reminded of this fact because in this 68 page short story, he addresses her as "Sentinel" 23 times. Twenty-three times in sixty-eight pages! What the hell?
Sentinel is Merit's job title. So here is the equivalent of what Ethan does to Merit: My husband is a contractor. It would be me calling him "Contractor" instead of his name, or a pet name like "baby", "honey", or "love doodle". (haha! If I called him "love doodle", he would ask me if I was drunk. Maybe I'll try that one on him sometime for a laugh... but I digress..)
This is all to say: Ethan is an ass. Use your girlfriend's name, Ass!
cuz, believe me, I could rant a lot longer than that!
As far as this short story? It sucked.
You think I should defend this opinion? Okay, fine. Ethan and Merit go on a vacation, with him calling her Sentinel the whole time. (Ass.) The night they get there someone knocks on their door hysterical because her husband was just murdered. (Insert eye-roll here.) Ethan and Merit get involved in something that is none of their business. (Instead of leaving like sane people would.) The local cop actually give Ethan and Merit information about a murder investigation and let them check out the crime scene. (That's realistic.) Merit solves a centuries old crime that people had tried to figure out for years. (Because she's just so darn special.) And, the murderer confesses, as they always seem to do around Ethan and Merit. (They would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids!) <-----That right there? Proves my point. It sucked.
I could, but I won't.
He needs to be reminded of this fact because in this 68 page short story, he addresses her as "Sentinel" 23 times. Twenty-three times in sixty-eight pages! What the hell?
Sentinel is Merit's job title. So here is the equivalent of what Ethan does to Merit: My husband is a contractor. It would be me calling him "Contractor" instead of his name, or a pet name like "baby", "honey", or "love doodle". (haha! If I called him "love doodle", he would ask me if I was drunk. Maybe I'll try that one on him sometime for a laugh... but I digress..)
This is all to say: Ethan is an ass. Use your girlfriend's name, Ass!
cuz, believe me, I could rant a lot longer than that!
As far as this short story? It sucked.
You think I should defend this opinion? Okay, fine. Ethan and Merit go on a vacation, with him calling her Sentinel the whole time. (Ass.) The night they get there someone knocks on their door hysterical because her husband was just murdered. (Insert eye-roll here.) Ethan and Merit get involved in something that is none of their business. (Instead of leaving like sane people would.) The local cop actually give Ethan and Merit information about a murder investigation and let them check out the crime scene. (That's realistic.) Merit solves a centuries old crime that people had tried to figure out for years. (Because she's just so darn special.) And, the murderer confesses, as they always seem to do around Ethan and Merit. (They would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids!) <-----That right there? Proves my point. It sucked.
I could, but I won't.
February 28, 2015
~Sigh~ I just love, love, LOVE Ethan and yes, well, Ethan and Merit but mainly Ethan so I was really happy to get this novella about the two of them. However, CN can't fool us and lead us to believe this will be a story just about them going on vacation. No, nothing with the two of them is ever that simple!
Ethan and Merit do take a step in the right direction and get off to a yummy start. Too bad it doesn't last! And they are thrust right into the middle of not only a murder scene but a battle between some vampires and shifters.
Turns out it's Gabriel country so Ethan makes a phone call and Gabriel and his gang show up right away. Unfortunately, Gabriel can't stop some serious fire power from raining down on Ethan and Merit.
Still, we all know something like that won't stop the two of them. And with some lucky Merit sleuthing, they are able to not only get to the bottom of the crime but unearth the original problem and solve that as well.
This novella is short and sweet and filled with action. I only wish it had a little more of the good action at the end! Happily, the next book in the series is out March 3rd.
Favorite quotes:
♥ “You could never be inconsequential, Merit.”
♥ “Should I be insulted that you’re so eager to enjoy another man’s pork?”
Ethan and Merit do take a step in the right direction and get off to a yummy start. Too bad it doesn't last! And they are thrust right into the middle of not only a murder scene but a battle between some vampires and shifters.
Turns out it's Gabriel country so Ethan makes a phone call and Gabriel and his gang show up right away. Unfortunately, Gabriel can't stop some serious fire power from raining down on Ethan and Merit.
Still, we all know something like that won't stop the two of them. And with some lucky Merit sleuthing, they are able to not only get to the bottom of the crime but unearth the original problem and solve that as well.
This novella is short and sweet and filled with action. I only wish it had a little more of the good action at the end! Happily, the next book in the series is out March 3rd.
Favorite quotes:
♥ “You could never be inconsequential, Merit.”
♥ “Should I be insulted that you’re so eager to enjoy another man’s pork?”
August 20, 2015
Short review time.
Because YES, I can totally write those as well. When I'm feeling lazy. Or when I'm reading such a fantastically exciting book that I just can't put it down and have no time to waste on silly reviews.
Right. So. Lucky Break. I have to admit I've never been a vampire fan but I'm seriously addicted to Chicagoland Vampires. Someone once told me it had to be because the vampires here act like shapeshifters. Figures. {eyerolling allowed here}
Anyway. It's the first time I give an instalment in this series less than a 4-star rating. But I have a very valid excuse. This story is way too cheesy for me. I don't do cheesy. But you already knew that didn't you? If there's one thing this series hasn't been so far it's cheesy. So this was pretty disappointing. And sugar-shock inducing. Then again I have a very low threshold for romantic crap so I guess most of you would consider the mushiness factor to be barely noticeable here. I'd say it takes up about 30% of the story (with tears and romantic resolution included) which is much more than I can take.
And yet I still enjoyed this. Because Merit. She kicks serious butt. She
February 17, 2015
Spoilers
-Ethan and Merit go on a relaxing holiday. Unfortunately, they have to put on their detective-detecting knickers and investigate when their relaxing-holiday turns into a murdery-holiday.
-Ethan was as boring as ever, I think I rolled my eyes at pretty much everything he said or did, it was just so cheesy and forced. Merit was just as nauseating, she was so much more entertaining when she was single.
-I'm pretty sure Ethan forgot Merit's name, why else would he keep calling her Sentinel? Maybe, it was just his was of reminding Merit that she was subservient to him.
-I still didn't like Ethan and Merit's relationship, the fact he was her master and she was basically his servant and that it was her duty to risk her life for him was off putting. Also, Ethan bought out the worst in Merit, she was so sappy and acted more like a mother bear around him than a girlfriend. Whenever Merit was doing all the fighting/protecting whilst Ethan more or less watched and hid, not only did it make him look weak but also that he thought he was worth more than her and that he valued his own life more than hers. The imbalance and dynamics of their relationship was just cringey.
-I though it was rather rich of Ethan to look down at Vincent for wanting his own vampire house and wanting to live free of vampire rule, especially when Ethan had so recently wanted the same thing for his own people. It was one rule for him and another for everyone else. Also, Ethan and Merit acting like Vincent was a bad leader was well out of order considering how much Ethan had messed up in the past. Ethan and Merit were such smug, self righteous, hypocrites to judge and look down at Vincent when there'd more than had their fair share of problems.
-Liked the setting and the secondary characters. Also, enjoyed the whole Marchand/Mckenzie feud, it was more interesting than the whole Cadogen/Chicago stuff.
-Yea, I didn't buy Merit figuring out what happened to Fiona and finding her body when her husband/all the shifters/vampires were unable to do so for centuries, despite knowing her better and having information at hand about her. Just because the shifters/vamps had an ongoing feud that shouldn't have magically made them too thick to discover the truth about her. It was all rather far-fetched especially when Merit just didn't seem all that intelligent, her making obvious remarks/deductions and everyone around her being impressed by it didn't mean she was actually clever. No, she had to actually be clever for that, stating/deducing the obvious wasn't enough.
-The 'Merit loves food' nonsense has gotten so old, I think it's meant to make Merit down to earth and relatable but it just makes her come across as silly and irritating.
-I think the next book is meant to be about Ethan's evil master, Balthasar. It's pretty obvious how things will turn out (Balthasar will be a clichéd villain and Merit and the gang will eventually defeat him).. I can't help but hope that Merit falls in lust with him and has a hot affair with him and has his baby or some other WTF thing happens. Anything but the usual predictable nonsense would be nice. The series is in desperate need of some WTFery and some WTFery will make it great.
-Ethan and Merit go on a relaxing holiday. Unfortunately, they have to put on their detective-detecting knickers and investigate when their relaxing-holiday turns into a murdery-holiday.
-Ethan was as boring as ever, I think I rolled my eyes at pretty much everything he said or did, it was just so cheesy and forced. Merit was just as nauseating, she was so much more entertaining when she was single.
-I'm pretty sure Ethan forgot Merit's name, why else would he keep calling her Sentinel? Maybe, it was just his was of reminding Merit that she was subservient to him.
-I still didn't like Ethan and Merit's relationship, the fact he was her master and she was basically his servant and that it was her duty to risk her life for him was off putting. Also, Ethan bought out the worst in Merit, she was so sappy and acted more like a mother bear around him than a girlfriend. Whenever Merit was doing all the fighting/protecting whilst Ethan more or less watched and hid, not only did it make him look weak but also that he thought he was worth more than her and that he valued his own life more than hers. The imbalance and dynamics of their relationship was just cringey.
-I though it was rather rich of Ethan to look down at Vincent for wanting his own vampire house and wanting to live free of vampire rule, especially when Ethan had so recently wanted the same thing for his own people. It was one rule for him and another for everyone else. Also, Ethan and Merit acting like Vincent was a bad leader was well out of order considering how much Ethan had messed up in the past. Ethan and Merit were such smug, self righteous, hypocrites to judge and look down at Vincent when there'd more than had their fair share of problems.
-Liked the setting and the secondary characters. Also, enjoyed the whole Marchand/Mckenzie feud, it was more interesting than the whole Cadogen/Chicago stuff.
-Yea, I didn't buy Merit figuring out what happened to Fiona and finding her body when her husband/all the shifters/vampires were unable to do so for centuries, despite knowing her better and having information at hand about her. Just because the shifters/vamps had an ongoing feud that shouldn't have magically made them too thick to discover the truth about her. It was all rather far-fetched especially when Merit just didn't seem all that intelligent, her making obvious remarks/deductions and everyone around her being impressed by it didn't mean she was actually clever. No, she had to actually be clever for that, stating/deducing the obvious wasn't enough.
-The 'Merit loves food' nonsense has gotten so old, I think it's meant to make Merit down to earth and relatable but it just makes her come across as silly and irritating.
-I think the next book is meant to be about Ethan's evil master, Balthasar. It's pretty obvious how things will turn out (Balthasar will be a clichéd villain and Merit and the gang will eventually defeat him).. I can't help but hope that Merit falls in lust with him and has a hot affair with him and has his baby or some other WTF thing happens. Anything but the usual predictable nonsense would be nice. The series is in desperate need of some WTFery and some WTFery will make it great.
March 9, 2015
4 Stars! Ethan…*sigh*
Pretty in depth read for a novella, but I hate that it ended at 80%! Really enjoy the involvement of the NAC in this one…Gabriel and Damien...GRRRROWL! The overall series continues to move forward, big changes are coming, and Ethan and Merit are SOLID…SOLID, SOLID, SOLID!!! Happy, happy, joy, joy!! Makes me giddy! Just wish they had more time to “be still”! Life is never easy for the two of them! On to Dark Debt!
April 2, 2015
Ethan & Merit are taking a break from Cadogan House, Chicago and all the supernaturals and are off to a secret location to spend some romantic time alone…
Forget romantic dinners and sunsets…..Ethan & Merit soon become involved in the disputes between the local vampires and shifters clans!!! Can these two ever say no to solve a mystery??? Of course not!!!
This was a sweet and cute short story about Merit & Ethan’s romantic weekend.
But even in the mountains, trouble always finds these two lovable characters!!
Forget romantic dinners and sunsets…..Ethan & Merit soon become involved in the disputes between the local vampires and shifters clans!!! Can these two ever say no to solve a mystery??? Of course not!!!
This was a sweet and cute short story about Merit & Ethan’s romantic weekend.
December 27, 2015
Lucky Break is a novella (#10.5) in author Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series. Merit and Ethan desperately need some time away from their duties and just when they begin a romantic vacation, wouldn't you know it...yep, work calls. This mystery heavily involves the shifter community which was a nice addition. This series never gets old, and even though I would have thoroughly enjoyed reading a fun Ethan and Merit love-fest, I certainly didn't mind this mystery-filled quickie.
My favorite quote:
“It’s a big world,” I said. “I like to fly because it reminds me how huge the planet is and how small we are by comparison. I like that idea—that we’re inconsequential, so our troubles are inconsequential, too.”
My favorite quote:
“It’s a big world,” I said. “I like to fly because it reminds me how huge the planet is and how small we are by comparison. I like that idea—that we’re inconsequential, so our troubles are inconsequential, too.”
March 10, 2015
The full length books are all about the vampires while as the shorts focus more on Neill's shifters which is the only reason why I read 'em cuz I'm not normally keen on novellas. Whenever Urban Fantasy protagonists take five, you know that something is going to go horribly awry—case in point. This was a cute story about family feuds à la supe with a romantic resolution that was over a century in the making. It didn't really contribute much to the series in terms of plot arc; however readers do get a dose of this author's mountain lions, and learn a bit about what life is like for vampires that live outside of the Houses (i.e. Clans). The Orangesplosion won't win any awards, but I never miss an opportunity to hang with Merit & Ethan, and neither should you if you're pro CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES. 3.5 stars
June 4, 2017
Ethan and Merit decide to take a little vacation together to 'get way from it all' and have some alone time. They proceed to fall headlong into a murder investigation, and the mystery of a long ago disappearance of a local shifter. Added to the mix is a long-standing feud between the local shifter pack and vampire clan.
Interesting little story, made all the more enjoyable with the appearance of the apex of the shifters, Gabriel Keene. We haven't heard much lately from Gabriel and his shifter pack in the series. I for one, have missed them.
Interesting little story, made all the more enjoyable with the appearance of the apex of the shifters, Gabriel Keene. We haven't heard much lately from Gabriel and his shifter pack in the series. I for one, have missed them.
March 26, 2017
Ethan and Merit take a much needed vacation at a cabin the mountains of Colorado owned by a vampire friend of Ethan. Shortly after arriving, Ethan finds his friend, Nessa, at the door covered in blood. She tells them that she arrived home to find her Shifter husband, Taran, dead on the floor. Nessa asks Ethan and Merit to discover who killed her husband. Taran's family believes Nessa killed him. Merit and Ethan soon find that they've landed in the middle of a centuries old feud between the shifters and the vampires.
This was a fast moving novella with a interesting story. Not only do Merit and Ethan have to find out who killed Taran. They also try to ascertain exactly what happened when a shifter disappeared over 100 years ago. This disappearance started a war between a pack of shifters and their neighboring clan of vampires that is just heating up again with the latest murder. My rating: 4 Stars.
This was a fast moving novella with a interesting story. Not only do Merit and Ethan have to find out who killed Taran. They also try to ascertain exactly what happened when a shifter disappeared over 100 years ago. This disappearance started a war between a pack of shifters and their neighboring clan of vampires that is just heating up again with the latest murder. My rating: 4 Stars.
December 25, 2016
Lucky Break is a novella (#10.5) in author Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series. Merit and Ethan desperately need some time away from their duties and just when they begin a romantic vacation, wouldn't you know it...yep, work calls. But even in the mountains, trouble always finds these two lovable characters!! Forget romantic dinners and sunsets…..Ethan & Merit soon become involved in the disputes between the local vampires and shifters clans!!! This mystery heavily involves the shifter community which was a nice addition.
~Sigh~ I just love, love, LOVE Ethan and yes, well, Ethan and Merit but mainly Ethan so I was really happy to get this novella about the two of them. However, CN can't fool us and lead us to believe this will be a story just about them going on vacation. No, nothing with the two of them is ever that simple! Ethan and Merit do take a step in the right direction and get off to a yummy start. Ethan…*sigh* Pretty in depth read for a novella, but I hate that it ended at 80%! Really enjoy the involvement of the NAC in this one…Gabriel and Damien... This series never gets old, and even though I would have thoroughly enjoyed reading a fun Ethan and Merit love-fest, I certainly didn't mind this mystery-filled quickie. This was a cute story about family feuds à la supe with a romantic resolution that was over a century in the making. It didn't really contribute much to the series in terms of plot arc; however readers do get a dose of this author's mountain lions, and learn a bit about what life is like for vampires that live outside of the Houses (i.e. Clans). Added to the mix is a long-standing feud between the local shifter pack and vampire clan. Nice, quick little murder-mystery that Ethan and Merit unfortunately stumble upon and of course offer to help solve even though they are supposed to be on vacation. The main focus of Lucky Break is really on the Hatfield and McCoy issues between the rogue vampire clan and shifter pack in the area and how the murder affects both sides and showcases the issues that will always be a problem between the sups. Merit and Ethan are more like mediators rather than being smack dab in the middle of the problem, which actually worked for me. Ethan, Merit and Gabriel are the only recurring characters making an appearance in this novella as Ethan and Merit attempt a vacation. They hadn't planned to step into the middle of a feud between shifters and vampires. Nor had they expected to solve a current murder and an ancient disappearance. Nonetheless, working together, they do both.
It's no secret that I'm a bit of a Chicagoland Vampires fan girl so of course I couldn't wait to dive into this novella and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Merit and Ethan. It was great to see them outside of Chicago in an unfamiliar environment but still kicking butt as we'd expect. Loved this little short. It brought some of my favorites back. Just sucks that a vampires job is never done.... even while on vacation. Among some of my favorites. Interesting little story, made all the more enjoyable with the appearance of the apex of the shifters, Gabriel Keene. I love everything with Merit and Ethan and Lucky a Break was no exception. Loved that Gabriel was in it too. I still got a healthy dose of Merit’s snark, which I adore, had Methan time, which is looking to be on pretty solid ground both as a couple and as Sentinel and Master. Less snark than a full story, but all the great writing and some of the humour. A nice appetiser for the next book. The full length books are all about the vampires while as the shorts focus more on Neill's shifters which is the only reason why I read 'em cuz I'm not normally keen on novellas. Whenever Urban Fantasy protagonists take five, you know that something is going to go horribly awry—case in point.
“You could never be inconsequential, Merit.”
“Should I be insulted that you’re so eager to enjoy another man’s pork?”
“It’s a big world,” I said. “I like to fly because it reminds me how huge the planet is and how small we are by comparison. I like that idea—that we’re inconsequential, so our troubles are inconsequential, too.”
~Sigh~ I just love, love, LOVE Ethan and yes, well, Ethan and Merit but mainly Ethan so I was really happy to get this novella about the two of them. However, CN can't fool us and lead us to believe this will be a story just about them going on vacation. No, nothing with the two of them is ever that simple! Ethan and Merit do take a step in the right direction and get off to a yummy start. Ethan…*sigh* Pretty in depth read for a novella, but I hate that it ended at 80%! Really enjoy the involvement of the NAC in this one…Gabriel and Damien... This series never gets old, and even though I would have thoroughly enjoyed reading a fun Ethan and Merit love-fest, I certainly didn't mind this mystery-filled quickie. This was a cute story about family feuds à la supe with a romantic resolution that was over a century in the making. It didn't really contribute much to the series in terms of plot arc; however readers do get a dose of this author's mountain lions, and learn a bit about what life is like for vampires that live outside of the Houses (i.e. Clans). Added to the mix is a long-standing feud between the local shifter pack and vampire clan. Nice, quick little murder-mystery that Ethan and Merit unfortunately stumble upon and of course offer to help solve even though they are supposed to be on vacation. The main focus of Lucky Break is really on the Hatfield and McCoy issues between the rogue vampire clan and shifter pack in the area and how the murder affects both sides and showcases the issues that will always be a problem between the sups. Merit and Ethan are more like mediators rather than being smack dab in the middle of the problem, which actually worked for me. Ethan, Merit and Gabriel are the only recurring characters making an appearance in this novella as Ethan and Merit attempt a vacation. They hadn't planned to step into the middle of a feud between shifters and vampires. Nor had they expected to solve a current murder and an ancient disappearance. Nonetheless, working together, they do both.
It's no secret that I'm a bit of a Chicagoland Vampires fan girl so of course I couldn't wait to dive into this novella and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Merit and Ethan. It was great to see them outside of Chicago in an unfamiliar environment but still kicking butt as we'd expect. Loved this little short. It brought some of my favorites back. Just sucks that a vampires job is never done.... even while on vacation. Among some of my favorites. Interesting little story, made all the more enjoyable with the appearance of the apex of the shifters, Gabriel Keene. I love everything with Merit and Ethan and Lucky a Break was no exception. Loved that Gabriel was in it too. I still got a healthy dose of Merit’s snark, which I adore, had Methan time, which is looking to be on pretty solid ground both as a couple and as Sentinel and Master. Less snark than a full story, but all the great writing and some of the humour. A nice appetiser for the next book. The full length books are all about the vampires while as the shorts focus more on Neill's shifters which is the only reason why I read 'em cuz I'm not normally keen on novellas. Whenever Urban Fantasy protagonists take five, you know that something is going to go horribly awry—case in point.
“You could never be inconsequential, Merit.”
“Should I be insulted that you’re so eager to enjoy another man’s pork?”
“It’s a big world,” I said. “I like to fly because it reminds me how huge the planet is and how small we are by comparison. I like that idea—that we’re inconsequential, so our troubles are inconsequential, too.”
April 13, 2015
Although I enjoyed seeing Merit and Ethan again, there really wasn't any point to this novella.
We are led to believe from the synopsis that we will get to see Ethan and Merit spending some quality time together on vacation (that's exactly what made me buy the novella, I was desperate to just see them have some time alone), but that's not what we get at all. We just get to see them solving a crime outside of Chicago that has nothing to do with the series...
It was nice to see Gabriel too, but that's about it.
There's no time spent with them together and it doesn't further the series in any way. I kind of begrudge spending the money on it now, especially seeing as it ends just after 75% and the rest is the first few chapters of the next book, which I had already bought!!
So sadly, I won't be recommending this to readers of the series.
We are led to believe from the synopsis that we will get to see Ethan and Merit spending some quality time together on vacation (that's exactly what made me buy the novella, I was desperate to just see them have some time alone), but that's not what we get at all. We just get to see them solving a crime outside of Chicago that has nothing to do with the series...
It was nice to see Gabriel too, but that's about it.
There's no time spent with them together and it doesn't further the series in any way. I kind of begrudge spending the money on it now, especially seeing as it ends just after 75% and the rest is the first few chapters of the next book, which I had already bought!!
So sadly, I won't be recommending this to readers of the series.
February 19, 2015
Loved this!
February 26, 2015
5 Stars...Yum! Love me some Ethan and Merit on vacation:) Unfortunately for them, relaxing is not in the scenic Colorado stars. They manage to land in trouble with feuding sups and an ancient mystery to solve. Plenty of snark and wit abounds in this action-packed novella, and it has me anticipating Dark Debt...releasing soon!
September 7, 2018
When you're Master and Sentinel of Cadogan House, even a little break time away from the country can turn into an other conflict you have to take care of. The good old feud between vampires and shifters, when their host's husband is murdered and each side want to place the blame on the other.
I enjoyed this novella much more than I thought I would. I find the same great sense of humor and funny lines that I missed in the last few books in the series (I read the last books of the series before this story) and I liked the Romeo and Juliet allusion.
I enjoyed this novella much more than I thought I would. I find the same great sense of humor and funny lines that I missed in the last few books in the series (I read the last books of the series before this story) and I liked the Romeo and Juliet allusion.
March 22, 2015
Merit and Ethan are taking a well earned vacation, somewhere quiet where they can have a few days spending quality time as a couple. Well, that was the idea anyway, but we all know that trouble tends to follow them so it shouldn't surprise anyone that before their first night is over they find themselves caught in a centuries old feud between the local vampires and shapeshifters!
It's no secret that I'm a bit of a Chicagoland Vampires fan girl so of course I couldn't wait to dive into this novella and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Merit and Ethan. It was great to see them outside of Chicago in an unfamiliar environment but still kicking butt as we'd expect. There are also appearances from Gabriel and Damien which is always a huge bonus in my books, I LOVE the shapeshifters and am still desperately hoping that Chloe will give us a spin of story about Damien at some point.
I loved Lucky Break, the mystery behind the ongoing feud was interesting, I enjoyed seeing Merit stand up for herself and her man and as usual I loved the banter between her and Ethan. I think my only complaint with this story was that it was a novella and I wanted it to be a full length book but that's just because I'm greedy and I can never get enough of this world or these characters.
Although this story doesn't impact the ongoing series story arc I would happily recommend it to fans of the series & it's a great way to get a Merit fix while you wait for the next full length book.
It's no secret that I'm a bit of a Chicagoland Vampires fan girl so of course I couldn't wait to dive into this novella and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Merit and Ethan. It was great to see them outside of Chicago in an unfamiliar environment but still kicking butt as we'd expect. There are also appearances from Gabriel and Damien which is always a huge bonus in my books, I LOVE the shapeshifters and am still desperately hoping that Chloe will give us a spin of story about Damien at some point.
I loved Lucky Break, the mystery behind the ongoing feud was interesting, I enjoyed seeing Merit stand up for herself and her man and as usual I loved the banter between her and Ethan. I think my only complaint with this story was that it was a novella and I wanted it to be a full length book but that's just because I'm greedy and I can never get enough of this world or these characters.
Although this story doesn't impact the ongoing series story arc I would happily recommend it to fans of the series & it's a great way to get a Merit fix while you wait for the next full length book.
March 15, 2015
Loved his novel! It was too short! Full of love and sadness...
May 6, 2018
French & English reviews
Une petite nouvelle sur fond de vacances pour Merit et Ethan =) J'avoue que quand j'ai vu qu'ils étaient partis dans le Colorado, ça m'a donné des envies de vacances =D
Même si l'histoire était courte, j'ai beaucoup aimé l'intrigue, très Roméo et Juliette mais tellement triste ... J'aime beaucoup la façon dont Chloe Neill traite la question des préjugés et de la discrimination ...
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A little short-story about an holiday for Merit and Ethan =) I must admit that when I saw they had gone to Colorado, I was in wanderlust =D
Even if the story was short, I really liked the plot, very Romeo and Juliet but so sad ... I love how Chloe Neill deals with the issue of prejudice and discrimination ...
Une petite nouvelle sur fond de vacances pour Merit et Ethan =) J'avoue que quand j'ai vu qu'ils étaient partis dans le Colorado, ça m'a donné des envies de vacances =D
Même si l'histoire était courte, j'ai beaucoup aimé l'intrigue, très Roméo et Juliette mais tellement triste ... J'aime beaucoup la façon dont Chloe Neill traite la question des préjugés et de la discrimination ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little short-story about an holiday for Merit and Ethan =) I must admit that when I saw they had gone to Colorado, I was in wanderlust =D
Even if the story was short, I really liked the plot, very Romeo and Juliet but so sad ... I love how Chloe Neill deals with the issue of prejudice and discrimination ...
October 16, 2022
4 3/4 Stars
As with every other Chicagoland book, I loved this! Maybe even more so because there were fewer of the secondary characters that we know and love, so I could just keep my mind on Ethan and Merit. In this book, Ethan and Merit decide to go on a vacation, but like always, trouble finds them. Almost as soon as they arrive at the guest house they are staying at in Colorado, their hostess shows up at the door, crying with blood on her hands. She had arrived home from the grocery store to find her husband dead on the living room floor. She explains that the shifters in the area are not happy about her mixed species marriage, she is a vampire and her husband was a shifter. Unlike in Chicago, these two groups of supernaturals are at war in this valley. It has been going on for well over a century. As they are discussing everything that has gone on, a group of shifters, led by the husband's cousin, show up to try to get revenge on the wife, because they are convinced she murdered her husband. Merit soon shows them that she doesn't back down so easily, and draws first blood, and the only blood. From there, of course their vacation goes down the drain very quickly, as they try to figure out who killed their host's husband. As usual, the book was action packed throughout. I did feel that Ms Neill was more descriptive about unimportant things, such as exactly how the guest house looked, how the house that the local vampires lived in looked, and many other inconsequential things. Of course that didn't distract me for long, because seriously, it's Ethan and Merit!!
I feel that you could read this as a stand alone, but you would be missing so many details that it probably wouldn't be worth it in the end. Take my advice and start at the beginning. It's definitely worth the time and money you'll spend on the whole series.
As with every other Chicagoland book, I loved this! Maybe even more so because there were fewer of the secondary characters that we know and love, so I could just keep my mind on Ethan and Merit. In this book, Ethan and Merit decide to go on a vacation, but like always, trouble finds them. Almost as soon as they arrive at the guest house they are staying at in Colorado, their hostess shows up at the door, crying with blood on her hands. She had arrived home from the grocery store to find her husband dead on the living room floor. She explains that the shifters in the area are not happy about her mixed species marriage, she is a vampire and her husband was a shifter. Unlike in Chicago, these two groups of supernaturals are at war in this valley. It has been going on for well over a century. As they are discussing everything that has gone on, a group of shifters, led by the husband's cousin, show up to try to get revenge on the wife, because they are convinced she murdered her husband. Merit soon shows them that she doesn't back down so easily, and draws first blood, and the only blood. From there, of course their vacation goes down the drain very quickly, as they try to figure out who killed their host's husband. As usual, the book was action packed throughout. I did feel that Ms Neill was more descriptive about unimportant things, such as exactly how the guest house looked, how the house that the local vampires lived in looked, and many other inconsequential things. Of course that didn't distract me for long, because seriously, it's Ethan and Merit!!
I feel that you could read this as a stand alone, but you would be missing so many details that it probably wouldn't be worth it in the end. Take my advice and start at the beginning. It's definitely worth the time and money you'll spend on the whole series.
March 22, 2015
It was less annoying than any recent story in the series until Super-Merit solved the more than century old unsolved mystery in less than an hour. Her unwarranted fighting skills after a year of being a vampire make me nuts but her detective abilities were just silly. But despite ridiculous Mary Sue Merit the Perfect having all of the good ideas and insights everyone else just bumbling along, it was still a pretty good story because of the new elements allowed by the new setting. Travel stories don't always work well (as I noted in another review tonight) but I liked the way this one allowed some fresh perspectives on the vampire/shifter dynamic and brought in a view of the big picture outside of Chicago. I'd be interested in reading stories about characters outside of Merit and Chicago entirely. Obviously Gabriel and the Pack are fan favorites and have been featured in many of the novels and several of the short stories as well. This is the second story that has featured Gabe's number two, Damien, and I'd be happy to see him star in more short stories or in books of his own. Even though I'm ready for this series to end, I still feel like this world has room for a lot of interesting characters and stories. I wouldn't get so irritated if it didn't feel like there was so much potential.
December 3, 2017
¿Han escuchado/leído el supuesto parecido de Half-Blood con Vampire Academy? Yo sí. Y creo que se atribuye a los años de publicación en que VA supera al otro. Pero lo que no han escuchado es el GRAN parecido de VA con Chicagoland vampires. Porque este último lo supera* aún más en años. Comparación/similitud que pienso tratar en la reseña de Dark Debt.
Prometido.
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*Un guiño a Crepúsculo en House Rules, Howling For You y Blood Games. Por eso es que le he perdido credibilidad a las sagas postcrepúsculo de romance paranormal vampíricas, porque, aunque le tenga un especial cariño a ésta última, las que han venido de 2008 para acá no dejan de ser una extensión de la misma. Y yo, la verdad, la etapa twilighter la deje atrás.
Prometido.
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*Un guiño a Crepúsculo en House Rules, Howling For You y Blood Games. Por eso es que le he perdido credibilidad a las sagas postcrepúsculo de romance paranormal vampíricas, porque, aunque le tenga un especial cariño a ésta última, las que han venido de 2008 para acá no dejan de ser una extensión de la misma. Y yo, la verdad, la etapa twilighter la deje atrás.
February 22, 2015
I just love these little side adventure novellas in the Chicagoland Vampires world. This one actually focuses on the main couple, Ethan and Merit, whereas the others have looked at other side couples (Luc and Lindsey, Jeff and Fallow).
Ethan and Merit are trying to take a vacation in the Colorado mountains. Of course, that doesn't work out so well for them. There's a murder and Methan are thrust into a shifter/vampire war.
There are two awesome parts about this novella:
1. Sexy Merit and Ethan times
2. Gabriel Keene
I love any chance I get to read about Ethan and Merit getting cuddly with each other. Ethan is one of my most favorite book boyfriends of all time, and he is just so unbelievably attentive and caring and supportive with Merit now, he makes me swoon every time he's present on the page.
Gabriel Keene is my favorite side character in this series. He's the alpha wolf of the North American Pack and Ethan and Merit's friend and ally. He is so commanding and powerful. And, yet, I love when he kicks back with Ethan and Merit, has a beer and jokes around with them.
This novella was just what I needed to take the edge off my CLV withdraw.
Ethan and Merit are trying to take a vacation in the Colorado mountains. Of course, that doesn't work out so well for them. There's a murder and Methan are thrust into a shifter/vampire war.
There are two awesome parts about this novella:
1. Sexy Merit and Ethan times
2. Gabriel Keene
I love any chance I get to read about Ethan and Merit getting cuddly with each other. Ethan is one of my most favorite book boyfriends of all time, and he is just so unbelievably attentive and caring and supportive with Merit now, he makes me swoon every time he's present on the page.
Gabriel Keene is my favorite side character in this series. He's the alpha wolf of the North American Pack and Ethan and Merit's friend and ally. He is so commanding and powerful. And, yet, I love when he kicks back with Ethan and Merit, has a beer and jokes around with them.
This novella was just what I needed to take the edge off my CLV withdraw.
July 4, 2016
4 Stars:
Loved this little short. It brought some of my favorites back. Just sucks that a vampires job is never done.... even while on vacation.
Among some of my favorites. Outstanding literary work. The characters are well developed, interesting. The liked characters are likable and the hated are unlikable. The writing is captivating enough to keep you interested until the end and leave you wanting more. It has a fairly original or uniquely well-developed plot. The pretense and romance was well balanced and done with properly distributed amounts of hints, behaviors and chemistry. Not so much predictable if at all. Overall, loved it, I recommend reading!!
Loved this little short. It brought some of my favorites back. Just sucks that a vampires job is never done.... even while on vacation.
Among some of my favorites. Outstanding literary work. The characters are well developed, interesting. The liked characters are likable and the hated are unlikable. The writing is captivating enough to keep you interested until the end and leave you wanting more. It has a fairly original or uniquely well-developed plot. The pretense and romance was well balanced and done with properly distributed amounts of hints, behaviors and chemistry. Not so much predictable if at all. Overall, loved it, I recommend reading!!
January 4, 2016
Book: Lucky Break (Chicagoland Vampires #10.5)
Author: Chloe Neill
Publication Date: 2/17/2015
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars
REVIEW
This is a short story pretty much. Ethan has taken Merit out of town to a friends weekend cottage. Do you think they will truly get a vacation? Well all I can say is if this is a vacation I may as well stay at work. I enjoyed this as we get the vamps but also the shifters are involved.
I borrowed this book from my local library.
Lucky Break
Author: Chloe Neill
Publication Date: 2/17/2015
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars
REVIEW
This is a short story pretty much. Ethan has taken Merit out of town to a friends weekend cottage. Do you think they will truly get a vacation? Well all I can say is if this is a vacation I may as well stay at work. I enjoyed this as we get the vamps but also the shifters are involved.
I borrowed this book from my local library.
Lucky Break
February 18, 2015
Very early on I found myself laughing a bit, mostly because this sacred vacation that Ethan and Merit went on turned out to be anything but, which is about par for the course for them.
It was interesting how they landed in a vampire/shifter feud. I thought that Ethan and Merit went about getting a resolution in a good way, was glad when they brought Gabriel in. They needed some shifter help. I was especially glad when Merit was able to get the origin of the feud, hopefully bring about an end to the feud once and for all.
It was interesting how they landed in a vampire/shifter feud. I thought that Ethan and Merit went about getting a resolution in a good way, was glad when they brought Gabriel in. They needed some shifter help. I was especially glad when Merit was able to get the origin of the feud, hopefully bring about an end to the feud once and for all.
November 10, 2015
Okay- let's get this out of the way- "Lucky Break" is a novella and that is the only thing I didn't like about it.
The premise of these two lovebirds having a brief getaway was cute- and of course, "brief" is the operative word. I certainly don't want to give any of the story away, but I found it to be bittersweet and quite the commentary of society, where people don't bother to find out things before they become enemies.
I can't wait for March!!
The premise of these two lovebirds having a brief getaway was cute- and of course, "brief" is the operative word. I certainly don't want to give any of the story away, but I found it to be bittersweet and quite the commentary of society, where people don't bother to find out things before they become enemies.
I can't wait for March!!
May 1, 2017
This is a cute interlude story. Ethan and Merit attempt to go on a long weekend vacation out of Chicago but within a couple of hours they are mired in a murder involving an interspecies relationship between a vampire and a shifter. The problem is this really is just an interlude. It doesn't move the story forward or even give us more insight into Ethan and Merit's relationship so while cute, it isn't a necessary read.
February 21, 2015
I absolutely love this series! I don't think this story will ever get old for me. Each character in these books has a special place in my heart. Love Merit and Ethan, but a small part of me really loves Jonah...Love Gabriel too, his relationship with Merit always warms my heart. Can't wait for next months release of DD
February 20, 2015
**3.5-4 stars**
March 12, 2015
Love seeing Gabe!!
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