Noble Blood by Dana Marie Bell
The Gray Court, Book 2
Samhain Publishing
Paranormal, Dark Urban Fantasy M/M/F
ISBN: 978-1-60928-332-2
Reviewed by Patrice F.




Moira Dunne has always been skeptical about men and love until she is rescued by The Gray Court vampire, Jaden Blackthorn.  Just when she’s ready to ride off into the sunset with her blood drinking would-be lover, Lord Duncan Malmayne, claims her with a mating kiss.  Now Jaden’s vanished into thin air, and Duncan is unable to complete their union.  They’re both exhibiting signs of mate sickness, all leading to their missing vamp.  Moira knows it’s hard dealing with one stubborn, foolish and well-meaning male but two will make her life more difficult.  In the meantime, she’ll just have keep bullying them until they come to their senses or see things her way.

What’s a poor half-Sidhe, part-leprechaun gal to do?

If you missed reading Dare to Believe, the first book in The Gray Court series, you’ll be lost if you start with Noble Blood.  Most of the cast of lovers, friends, and enemies are all here, some alive and others deceased.  Then there’s the explanation of what the courts are, the rulers, and our main plot which involves the Dunnes and Malmaynes.  In case you haven’t guessed, Moira’s parents have a back-story that is intrinsic and involves Duncan’s illustrious clan, the very xenophobic and Seelie caste conscious Malmaynes.  For such long-lived beings they are as vain, greed and corrupt as the humans they belittle and despise, proof that age and power do not account for wisdom and usefulness, yet make for dangerous and cunning villains.

Moira is the baby sister of Leo Dunne–alpha sexy supreme of the prequel–and the only daughter of Sean and Aileen Dunne.  She’s as feisty and loyal as she is beautiful.  Jaden hides his savior complex behind flip and snarky comments which adds a large amount of comedic relief to the storyline and dialogue.  Duncan is big hearted and loving, a Sidhe lord who understands responsibility and how and when to use power.  He doesn’t hold back anything from his mates.  This union was passionate, erotic and sweet, and I didn’t want to escape the warm fuzzies emanating from the pages.  Sexy is as sexy does, but there’s nothing like enjoying the way an author is able to create intimate caring emotion between characters from words.

The action is good, and there are times when I’m reminded of Merry Gentry meets Shakespeare and Spenser’s Faerie Queene but so what?  Good writing is inspired and influenced by good writing and good characters.  Noble Blood has both, with a spirited, smart heroine, stalwart Sidhe lord and an underdog vampire who’ll win you over with his brazen ways and heart of gold, how can you go wrong?  And then, there’s Robin Goodfellow, the Hob, or Puck as he’s sometimes called.  I swear, I’m taken, with him and his mysterious master—and that’s all I’ll say.  I hope one of my favorites will get his chance next; it’s delightful whenever he’s around and now…well, we don’t want to give away the narrative twist goodies.  The teaser is Shane Dunne and Akane, Jaden’s partner and their story which is certain to follow. Along with the schemes of the Malmaynes and other mayhem, the next novella is certain to be just as fun.  I’m quite looking forward to it.  And so should you since you now have time to catch up.  So what are you waiting for?