We Shall Rise by JE Hopkins

War surrounds him, yet for vampire Kaden Gaspard, there is no greater battle than the one his mind has waged against his heart. He knows he should stay away from her. Reysa. The half-breed vampire warrior who had risked her life to prove his innocence for the seven murders for which he was accused, but had not committed. This stubbornly loyal woman who dedicated her life to her family of misfits - immortals shunned and abandoned by their clans for their impurity of blood and genetic mutations. This courageous and valiant African warrior who Kaden fears could never love the monster that he is destined to be. As Kaden and Reysa struggle to accept the undeniable bond between them, they must come together to stop the emerging terror that threatens to destroy all immortals. The lesser immortals – witches, sages, shifters, demons, hybrids, charmers and foreseers – have declared war against the pureblood vampires and lycans who have used their purity of blood and greater strength to enslave the weaker races. No immoral is safe. This is a fight for freedom and a fight against genocide. There can be no true victor as death looms for them all.(courtesy of Amazon)

Book 2 in the Misfits of the Lore series – see Book 1, Lover’s Betrayal reviewed by us earlier this year.

When you find your true love, your mate, there is nothing that will keep you apart, or isn’t that how all the fairy tales go?  Hopkins gives us the real life fairy tale.  Your mate may not be the person you expected, and you may have to work through your issues before you can be together.  I think that’s why I enjoy these books so much, it’s something that sucks you in. 

The Lore that Hopkins has created, gives us mixed breeds, and it works.  These misfits are thrown in together and uncover the makings of a war.  In order for strong, independent mates Reysa and Kaden to be together they have to lay out their weaknesses and accept each other.  I could feel the tension between them as if I was in the same room.  The heat Kaden literally puts off was enough to keep me warm J

Hopkins keeps the story moving with quite a bit of battle action.  Rey truly holds her own as she saves and protects her family and friends.  Gripping my reader as the book twists and at the end, I couldn’t believe it.  I’m hanging by a rope.  I figured it would end with just the final comments from Kaden – never expected more…

I am hoping for Julian next, but I wonder if Hopkins will keep us waiting for him and give us someone different as the war begins to unfold. 

5 slices easy 

Lover's Betrayal by J E Hopkins

A Vampire Out to Clear Her Son's Name. 
A Former Lover Bent on Revenge. 
But Neither is Prepared for What Happens Next...
Vampire couple Olivia and Lucian were forced to separate nearly two centuries ago, but now a series of murders has brought them back together. Their task? To investigate who's responsible for the grisly killings. And the prime suspect is none other than Olivia's son, Kaden. 
For Olivia, the reunion brings back all the pain of their shattered love-a love she abandoned to marry another. The decision held fateful consequences for herself and her troubled, warring sons. But her new mission also offers a chance at redemption as she risks everything to prove Kaden's innocence-and put back together a fractured family before it's too late. 
Through it all, Olivia faces the seemingly unyielding hate of Lucian, a powerful leader of the Council, the enforcers of all immortals. He's determined to seek vengeance on Olivia and her son-but can his hatred withstand the love his heart can't deny? (courtesy of Amazon)

As an up and coming author, Hopkins delivers nicely in this book!  1^st in the Misfits of the Lore series – Lover’s Betrayal takes the story of Vampires and adds the aristocrat structure.  A classic tragedy – as a ‘slave’ Olivia can not be with Lucian even though they are in love – so when she ends it – his life is crushed.  Leave it to a guy to think the situation is that simple! 

After 200 years she’s ready to end her struggle – but one thing is in her way – patching the relationship of her two sons.  This book starts out strong and kept me with it – I wanted to understand Olivia’s past and Hopkins does well to give it to you slowly as it unfolds with the story. The plot of the mystery is strong – pulling in new characters as she sets up this group.   I love the concept of where it seems Hopkins with go – these ‘misfits’ out to work together. 

As Olivia and Lucian come in contact with each other after all these years – their pull is strong.  Now Hopkins did well with her romance and her heat in this book between the two.  Passionate and sexy with an unmatchable bond - She’s got a great start and I’m hoping to hear she has book 2 coming out soon.