Review: Blood Purple by Ashley Nemer

In a world we think we know, live other races entirely hidden from the mortal perspective. Creatures of legend, of fable and myth, their very history and nature have allowed them to walk side by side with humans since time immemorial. They are warriors, they are hunters, and they are Algula Vampire. And in their own midst, a battle is brewing for supremacy, for dominance, that can and will affect all around them. Old hatred never dies and vengeance is a fiery sword that cuts a bloody swath.

About the Author:
Ashley is married and lives in Houston with her husband Tony. They have two dogs named Toto and Doogie. They have been together for almost 8 years and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her lifelong best friend Laura gave her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger.  
Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life and they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and display's came from. With her Parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.
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Excerpt:              Hamza walks into the room with his guard looking at Nikole’s still body lying on the table. “Is she dead?” he questions.  “No sir, she passed out while we were in the middle of the procedure. We were doing like you instructed and burning her body with the needles when she went unconscious.  We thought it best to come get you right away.”  Hamza looks over her body, placing his fingers to her neck and feeling only a small hint of life.  His lips curve up in excitement as he anticipates what is yet to come. “Good, leave us alone.” He starts to walk around the table staring at her naked and bloodied body. The room emptied out while Hamza continued to circle the table. He tried to decide what to do with this dead weight prisoner. Leaning over her body, he backhanded her jaw, the cracking of her bones deafening in the silence of the room. He heard her moan in agony while she slowly came to consciousness.  “Nikole, I think it would be best if you just gave me what I asked of you.  As soon as you tell me what we want to know this pain will all stop.” Taking his knife from the sheath on his belt, he placed the cold blade to her cheek. “I will cut your pretty little face apart.  Don’t think I won’t.”  Taking the tip of the blade he breaks the skin at the top of her left cheek and slowly cut lines into her face.  Droplets of blood ran down her cheek staining her flesh as he slashed her face.  Nikole’s voice is gone from all the screaming she has done and all she can do is heave a cry.  Her eyes are still forced open, not even tears can form since she can’t blink.  “Come on little Princess, just tell me where Zayn is so I can kill him. I promise this will all stop.”  

This was an interesting introduction into this author's world.  We are given another look at a more primal warring sects of vampires, no sparkly ones here!  We have Zayn and Nikole who are the children of the good side of the war.  Their uncle is evil and has children of his own that believe in his cause and want to avenge his supposed wrong.  So Zayn and Nikole are constantly pitted against their cousins and are constantly on the run.   Even though it seems all of their uncle's children have an agenda of their own.

It was an interesting story, with lots of torture and multi-dimensional characters.  I enjoyed it even though at times I felt as though the main characters needed to mature a bit.  I would definitely like to read the second book to see where the story is going.  The plot itself was quite intriguing!