Page Princess: RED NIGHT by R.K. Close

Title: RED NIGHT

Series: Vampire Files Trilogy, #1

Author: R.K. Close

Narrator: Natalie Naudus

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins, unabridged

Audible Release Date: 01.25.2018

Publisher: R.K. Close

Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance, Suspense

Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content

Listenability: OK ~~or NSFW~~

Received from: R.K. Close (as an Audible gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Red Night

Date completed: 02.12.2018

Description from the publisher:

Samantha, a feisty private investigator, knows how to handle herself around cheaters, liars, and thieves, but vampires? That's another story.

During a routine investigation, Samantha's seemingly ordinary life is turned upside down when she crosses paths with a mysterious vampire. Adam's as terrifying as he is alluring.

His attention towards Samantha inadvertently draws the eye of a notoriously dangerous creature of the night. She doesn't trust Adam, but he may be her only hope of staying alive. Or is he?

Sam's shy but attractive neighbor is hiding dark secrets of his own. Gabriel knows more about vampires than a mild-mannered professor should, but who is Gabriel Devereux, really?

The clock is running out for Sam to save herself and those closest to her, but can she survive a game played by beautiful monsters, without becoming one?

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RED NIGHT is the first book in the Vampire Files Trilogy. They do need to be read in the order of release.

I have to separate the story from the narrator… that took me some thinking time.

The narration was good. First I’ll tell you all of the bad: I have the feeling Ms. Naudus shared the same cute lisp as Cindy Brady had when she was a child; there is a remnant remaining. She’s also a “g-dropper” – goin’, doin’, catchin’, etc. I have at times said I would read a grocery list if written by my favorite author. This narration was like listening to that grocery list and each sentence was an item to be purchased – separate and flat. (I would recommend a coach, such as YourVoiceProfessor). Still, I say it was a good narration, because I could understand every word that was said, even if cut off, and I didn’t lose track of the storyline.

The story, on the other hand, I loved.

Let’s start with the two vampires: Adam and Zachariah. As far apart in personalities as A is from Z. Never forget that they are vampires, but Zachariah is also a sociopath! Samantha, aka “Sam” is equal parts silly and serious, which I can totally relate to as a constant state of being. Rounding out the team is Gabriel – another sexy man intent on claiming Sam’s heart.

I got the definite feeling that there was a parallel to Buffy – with Gabe as Miles, Adam as Angel, and Zachariah as all of the bad guys rolled into one sexy package. Her BFF, Dayna, will have to take on the role of the Scoobies.

It’s hard to believe this is a first release for this author. I thought the story was very well organized, presented, and written. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing and occupied, especially since I’m an audiobook reader just trying to keep the miles going.

Note: while I was given this book as a gifted copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

#TeamAdam ... though I'm admittedly usually #teamVampire for any triangle hehehe.

The Vampire Files Trilogy: