The Vampire Shrink – Lynda Hilburn

The Blurb

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Denver Psychologist Kismet Knight, Ph.D., doesn’t believe in the paranormal. She especially doesn’t believe in vampires. So what happens when she finds herself neck-deep in the vampire underworld?
Kismet is smart, witty and attractive. She’s respected in her field, successful and prosperous. She’s followed all the rules – done everything right. So, what’s the problem? Her life is empty. There’s no passion. No vitality. No excitement.
That is, until a new client introduces Kismet to the vampire underworld, and a drop-dead gorgeous, 800-year-old vampire named Devereux. Kismet isn’t buying the vampire story, but can’t explain why she has such odd reactions and feelings whenever Devereux is near. Kismet is soon forced to open her mind to other possibilities when she is visited in her office by two angry bloodsuckers, who would like nothing better than to challenge Devereux by hurting Kismet.
As Kismet gets pulled deeper and deeper into the vampire subculture, she struggles to hold onto her professional ideas about what is and isn’t “real.” The more she finds herself attracted to the charismatic, handsome Devereux, the more out of control her life becomes.
When one of her clients shows up in her office almost completely drained of blood, Kismet finds herself immersed in an ongoing murder investigation. Kismet is questioned by irreverent, handsome FBI profiler Alan Stevens, who warns her that vampires are very real. And one is a murderer. A murder who is after her.
In the midst of all this, Kismet realizes she has feelings for both the vampire and the profiler, but even though she cares for each of the men, facing the reality that vampires exist – along with all the other supernatural insanity she discovers – is enough of a challenge. For now.

The Review

Met - Kismet Knight - She is a psychologist; a very accomplished one.

I love the way she views her clients. She knows they come to her for help and she truly wants to help them the best way possible and devotes herself to them. In order to help them… she has to get to the root of their problem… Well, that might be hard to do if they believe they live among vampires. She keeps her sanity together throughout the whole book with her candid sense of humor.

Now besides trying to deal with the normal day-to-day patient’s, she is also having to deal with a teenager who wants to become a vampire and thinks that they are real vampires living in Denver.

Kismet has an ability that is buried deep down inside of her, she knows it to exist but cannot quiet put her finger on what it is. Her family would always tell her she was “too sensitive” to other people and their emotions/moods. Being around people who were high strung wore her out so to speak.

Now her dating life, or lack thereof… well… First, there WAS Dr. Tom Radcliff. Let’s just say that he is an ass’s ass! He told her “she no longer excited him” and found some air headed crystal wearing younger than himself for a fling. They have broken up for two years and thinking about him still makes her want to cry - ASS. Then, there is Vaughan, the cute chiropractor she met a couple of months ago. And for the life of her, she could not recall if she returned his call or thought about returning the call. Yea, that exciting! But her world is about to get totally flipped Up-Side-Down!!! Oh yea and another tidbit… Kismet really did not believe that vampires were real! That is another thing that keep me going. She kept trying to rationalize everything with fact or textbook… just wait…

Now Midnight is Kismet’s first client that really believes something larger than life is out there… REALLY believes!!! She is a nineteen year old girl, who would love nothing more than to be a vampire. Her parents have made her go to Kismet. They want Kismet to fix her and make her all better again. She really just needs someone to understand her and make her feel loved and accepted. Kismet‘s job is to help her see that the world of reality is always going to be there... That her world of fantasy can not always exist. But what happens when her fantasy world collides with Kismet’s reality world!

Here enters Devereux - He is a hot, eight hundred year old vampire. He has gorgeous blond hair (it is long, but I am not a long hair fan… but I went with my imagination), aqua blue eyes and a Killer bod!!!!! He is always wearing something tight and leather!!!! And Oh my, how yummy!!!! He is quiet the entrepreneur; but for starters, he owns the club that Midnight and her friends have frequented; The Crypt. He is the kind of man that makes all my dreams come true! He is also a very determined vampire who runs a tight ship. He does not like his “family” running around the world allowing people to know that they are here. That is why they have lived for so long. He is the man in charge of the operation and he is determined to keep it that.

Now, let me introduce to you Special Agent Man!!! First the serious stuff… He started out as a psychologist; then he was recruited by the FBI’s Behavioural Unit, as Alan puts it, “think Silence of the Lambs.” He really wanted the chance to become a profiler. And now he has that chance. He specializes in cases that have paranormal elements. Now, that is FBI Alan Stevens! He is working the cases of the mysterious attacks in Denver. He is tall, very attractive, sapphire eyes, golden highlights in his dark brown hair. Just another delicious man to investigate. He is trying to track “whatever” is doing this to people all over the country. He is making it his mission. And it seems like Secret Agent man believes in vampires!

Now Bryce - Let’s just say that you should stay away from this guy… Not nice and does not play well with others. Bryce, besides being a pain in the ass vampire, he is an excellent enchanter. He can bespell the best of them and have his way, if he so chooses. He wants to take over Devereux’s job as leader. But Devereux will have none of that

Now, this is where it gets good… As soon as Midnight steps foot into Kismet’s office, Kismet’s life and world literally get thrown around.

Midnight comes to her as a “broken” teenager her parents think they can fix with therapy. But what Kismet learns, is that Midnight has created a fantasy world of vampires. Or at least that is what Kismet thought in the beginning. After a couple of visits, Kismet gets a visit from the most gorgeous vampire known as Devereux. And with the few sentences before and his introduction… let’s just say that I melted right there!!

After the visit, Kismet knew something was just not all together right with him. She did not know if he was off his rocker or what to believe. She just knew that her mind and body would not obey her to stop thinking about him in a way that left her all hot and bothered.

The dawning of a new day… Midnight brings her friend Emerald to see Kismet. Thinking maybe she can help. Kismet takes one look at Emerald and knows this poor kid needs to go to the hospital. So, off they head to the ER… Emerald has been attacked several times over… but by what Kismet does not know… And Midnight nor Ronald (another “vampire apprentices” and Midnights friend) know by what… but not by who! Well, while waiting for the kids to go get the van, Kismet meets FBI Alan… He is loaded with questions, because he heard Kismet tell the doc that Emerald was her patient… She just dug herself a big ol’hole. But wait… it gets better…

After leaving the hospital, going back to her office, she now has an encounter with Bryce and his minion. Oh joy… just what a girl could want. A possessive, pain in the ass, cocky bastard showing up on your doorstep! Well, he wants to see to it that Ms. Kismet believe in vampires and does not doubt him. He tries to rough play with her… she tries to fight him off, but she can see that his strength is unparallel to hers. But she still tries… Not much available to helps her… he winds up pinning her to his chest… and he bites her… then Devereux comes to save the day!!!

He wanted more time to bring Kismet over into the world of vampires and other things that go bump in the night, but he fears there is no time left for that because Bryce has let it be known that he will stop at nothing to destroy Devereux.

Kismet kinda gets a speed lesson from Devereux and Alan on the matter at hand… She is still trying to find logic in the whole thing ~ That is just her make-up.

The book is awesomely written in first person and it flows very well. I love the sexual scenes and the tension. The discovery of Alan’s past with his mother will blow you away… and just the story alone of Devereux will make you wish for more… Gotcha wanting to read more… LOL!!! Good! Let’s see what others have to say…

Contest and Interview

Join me on Friday where you will have double the pleasure as not only is there the interview with Ms. Hilburn but the review of Dark Harvest will also be posted.

On Monday I had a most pleasant surprise with Ms. Hilburn throwing out a bunch of other goodies up for grab on the blog. So after much deliberation on who to share the love with, the new giveaways are:

First Prize

The Vampire Shrink

Dark Harvest

(Open to all comers)

Second Prize

Special Surprise

This is open to only those people who have read the book already – This will just add to your pleasure of having read a Lynda Hilburn Book.

LEAVE A COMMENT ON TUESDAY’S POST TO BE ENTERED IN FOR THIS SPECIAL SURPRISE GIVE AWAY….

Free For All

Ms. Hilburn has a box of Cover Flats for DARK HARVEST, and would be happy to sign one and mail it to anyone who'd like to send her a self-addressed, stamped, large (9x12) envelope. You can send that to: Lynda Hilburn, PO Box 20443, Boulder, CO 80308.

The contest the rules are simple.

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  Visit everyday to catch up on the reviews.
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  For a first entry post about the contest on your blog and leave the link on comment on MONDAYS POST.

For entry into the second prize give away leave a comment on TUESDAY POST – stating clearly that you have read the book already…

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  For a second entry leave a comment on FRIDAYS POST
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  Contest run from 18th May to 26th May
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  Contest open to all international entrants as well.

What are they saying about The Vampire Shrink

"It's not easy to combine horror, humor and realistic characters but Lynda Hilburn does it with ease. Kismet is a gal who must quickly learn her own strength. Her survival and others depend on it. Hilburn describes her novel as "urban fantasy romance with mystery elements, sex, dark humor, and a contemporary vibe." I would say that puts the story quite succinctly."

Patricia's Vampire Notes

"In a genre full of vampire stories, it’s hard to imagine that there’s a twist on the old theme you haven’t read. So when you come across one, it’s always a delight. THE VAMPIRE SHRINK was such a treat to read. I was ensnared from the get go and didn’t want it to end. It was funny, dark, exciting, everything you would want in a book and more. Lynda Hilburn has taken a well-known concept and made it her very own. The idea of vampires seeking therapy is a new one for me and I enjoyed every page. Kismet Knight is a charming heroine and I love that she doesn’t automatically fall for the uber hot vampire. The open ending leaves room for a much-anticipated sequel and I, for one, am keeping my fingers crossed."

Romance Junkies

“Dr. Knight [the heroine] is a pragmatic woman with a fun sense of humor. The author’s frequent uses of pop culture references keep the story light, relatable and highly readable. The idea of a vampire needing therapy to deal with childhood abandonment issues is fresh and unusual and gives the platform for humor in the midst of horror. The heroes in her book, Devereux and Alan, make up a delicious love triangle affording the reader some steamy love scenes requiring a cigarette when they are over. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read . . . The conclusion of the book left us with some intriguing possibilities that I hope the author will continue with. I’ll be sure to read whatever The Vampire Shrink is up to next!”

Ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

"The Vampire Shrink is a really good book. It has a quality that reminds me a bit of the early Anita Blake novels. There’s black humor, horror and romance in the story. One of the things I liked about Kismet was that she never seems to really fight her attraction to Devereux and she doesn’t reject his help under the guise of being an independent woman. She also doesn’t refuse to believe even after being presented with overwhelming evidence of the paranormal. I’m excited to find out how the rest of this series will go and I would highly recommend this book."

Vicky London, Vampire Genre

“THE VAMPIRE SHRINK is so much fun, so full of humor and romance, that I could not put it down. I was "forced" to read it all in one sitting! Lynda Hilburn has a wonderful talent for writing a great story, and she brought the paranormal world alive for me with THE VAMPIRE SHRINK! . . . THE VAMPIRE SHRINK is every bit as provocative as the cover suggests, and I loved every single minute of it!"

Romance Reader at Heart (Top Pick)