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Inked in Blood
Jeff Holloway is a twenty-five-year-old skater with a killer smile and lots of free time on his hands. He’s also a vampire who prowls the dark corners of San Francisco looking for entertainment and his next meal. Lately, he’s been spending lots of time watching a tattoo parlor in the Mission District, where someone tall, artistic, and handsome has caught his eye.
Santiago Alvarez, the forty-three-year-old owner of Iron & Ink has a huge secret. He lives a quiet life, finding joy in his career and his friends, but it’s caused him to shut himself off from dating and getting close to anyone romantically. When he bumps into Jeff on the sidewalk near his shop, he’s intrigued but hesitant to let anyone get close.
An unexpected event one night will change everything for both men, and neither of their futures will ever be the same.
Santiago Alvarez, the forty-three-year-old owner of Iron & Ink has a huge secret. He lives a quiet life, finding joy in his career and his friends, but it’s caused him to shut himself off from dating and getting close to anyone romantically. When he bumps into Jeff on the sidewalk near his shop, he’s intrigued but hesitant to let anyone get close.
An unexpected event one night will change everything for both men, and neither of their futures will ever be the same.
69 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2018
About the author
K. Evan Coles
18 books246 followersK. Evan Coles is a mother and tech pirate by day and a writer by night. She is a dreamer who, with a little hard work and a lot of good coffee, coaxes words out of her head and onto paper.
K. lives in the northeast United States, where she complains bitterly about the winters, but truly loves the region and its diverse, tenacious and deceptively compassionate people. You’ll usually find K. nerding out over books, movies and television with friends and family. She’s especially proud to be raising her son as part of a new generation of unabashed geeks.
K.'s books explore LGBTQ+ romance in contemporary settings.
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/308e1be9c54a/colessignup
K. lives in the northeast United States, where she complains bitterly about the winters, but truly loves the region and its diverse, tenacious and deceptively compassionate people. You’ll usually find K. nerding out over books, movies and television with friends and family. She’s especially proud to be raising her son as part of a new generation of unabashed geeks.
K.'s books explore LGBTQ+ romance in contemporary settings.
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/308e1be9c54a/colessignup
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
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June 1, 2019DNF @26%
The writing style was clunky and awkward.
The writing style was clunky and awkward.
April 16, 2019
Adding late review.
This was an enjoyable read. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed little things in the writing – the take on vampires, the thoughts both men had, the lack of drama that could have easily been used to drive a plot point, kudos to the writers for that. There is one sex scene and it’s hot and apt for a vampire story. Enjoyable reading with a little bit of extra bite.
This was an enjoyable read. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed little things in the writing – the take on vampires, the thoughts both men had, the lack of drama that could have easily been used to drive a plot point, kudos to the writers for that. There is one sex scene and it’s hot and apt for a vampire story. Enjoyable reading with a little bit of extra bite.
March 15, 2024
I wanted to like INKED IN BLOOD more because I really enjoyed K. Evan Coles’ vampire book, OVEREXPOSED, but it seems like the partnership with Brigham Vaughn resulted in awkward, clunky, and stilted writing. The characters and plot were fine -- simple, but what I would expect from a novella, but the writing just wasn't very pleasant to read. If this wasn't so short I'm not sure I would have finished it to be honest. I also wish there had been more flirting and chemistry between Jeff and Santiago before Santiago was turned because it almost felt like Santiago only became attracted to Jeff after feeding for the first time. Also, it was strange that Santiago was a tattoo artist with not a single tattoo; just something I found really odd especially because he never says why.
Content Warning: Santiago has an incurable brain tumor
Content Warning: Santiago has an incurable brain tumor
July 15, 2019
Bloody awesome
It's no where near 'Twilight' (thank God). This book is very entertaining and kept me interested from cover to cover. It has a great plot, the wording is very articulate, and it's a beautiful love story. Highly recommend to lovers of vampire, tattoo, and the lgbt+/ saga community.
It's no where near 'Twilight' (thank God). This book is very entertaining and kept me interested from cover to cover. It has a great plot, the wording is very articulate, and it's a beautiful love story. Highly recommend to lovers of vampire, tattoo, and the lgbt+/ saga community.
November 1, 2018
3,5*
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth Kann ing,
'Save that he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but
not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth Kann ing,
'Save that he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but
not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
March 15, 2022
"Inked in Blood" received TWO AND A HALF stars.
While I enjoyed the story, the main characters’ chemistry was lacking.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
While I enjoyed the story, the main characters’ chemistry was lacking.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
December 12, 2019
INKED IN BLOOD is a novella that can be easily read during your lunch hour at work (if you are able to fan yourself a little after reading it).
This is a very different "vampire" read than I am used to. It's straight to the point, has a very clear beginning, middle, and end, doesn't get involved with vampire history, hierarchy, or politics. I was totally invested in the two main characters and would like to get to know more about a "secondary character" and will see if she has a book written about her.
tags: MM, vampire, currently free, novella, 5 stars
This is a very different "vampire" read than I am used to. It's straight to the point, has a very clear beginning, middle, and end, doesn't get involved with vampire history, hierarchy, or politics. I was totally invested in the two main characters and would like to get to know more about a "secondary character" and will see if she has a book written about her.
tags: MM, vampire, currently free, novella, 5 stars
October 29, 2018
If you are looking for a Halloween read that is sweet with a soft dark bite, then this is perfect for you. One of the main reasons I read paranormal books is to see the many different takes on a common theme and this one delivers in spades for me. What’s even better that it was long enough that I felt completed in the read. Best of all, it has a happy ending.
December 6, 2018
This was a very interesting and well written story focusing on Jeff (vampire), and Santiago who Jeff is highly attracted to, however, Santiago doesn't have long to live. I enjoyed this and found it quite intriguing. They were not mates, but they were two people who truly loved each other. It definitely gave me the warm fuzzies. =)
January 7, 2019
Hot
This novella of Brigham Vaughn is the first of her I have read. Loved the vampire, tattoo theme. The scene in the alley was hot as hell. Will read more of her novella s and/ or books.
This novella of Brigham Vaughn is the first of her I have read. Loved the vampire, tattoo theme. The scene in the alley was hot as hell. Will read more of her novella s and/ or books.
April 1, 2019
Charming and unique vampire and human story. I really found this story engaging with awesome world-building. I like both of the characters and found i connected and cared about them both.
Highly recommend this story and wish there was a sequel.
June 11, 2019
Short, fast and to the point. Exactly what I was in the mood for. The story itself was nice, very much enjoyed the character interactions and vampire ideas here.
It was good...not extraordinary or original or anything of the sort though.
It was good...not extraordinary or original or anything of the sort though.
January 6, 2021
Sweet and Steamy
I really enjoyed this book. Such a sweet store with beautifully earnest characters. It's great quick read but I wouldn't have minded seeing them interact a big longer before Jeff's secret was revealed. 😊❤
I really enjoyed this book. Such a sweet store with beautifully earnest characters. It's great quick read but I wouldn't have minded seeing them interact a big longer before Jeff's secret was revealed. 😊❤
March 16, 2022
Short but well done
I couldn’t believe these writers could make such a polished and wonderful story in just a few pages. Well worth the price. Would love to see more about Jeff and Santiago.
I couldn’t believe these writers could make such a polished and wonderful story in just a few pages. Well worth the price. Would love to see more about Jeff and Santiago.
October 31, 2022
I love vampires and tattoo artists so this was right up my alley. A great little short read that hit the spot right before Halloween. Not too much drama and kept me interested. Definitely enjoyed this.
December 28, 2022
Well Done
This was a well done short story. The premise is quite intreguing. My only two hesitations were I wanted more and d would expect someone to be more upset about the stalking aspect.
This was a well done short story. The premise is quite intreguing. My only two hesitations were I wanted more and d would expect someone to be more upset about the stalking aspect.
July 13, 2023
This was an ok read, but nothing too memorable. The characters were interesting but the story was too short to really get into any depth about them. The writing could have flowed better, being a bit clunky at times with a few editing mistakes.
December 30, 2018
Great Story
This was a great read! I loved the attraction between Santiago and Jeff and the build up of what would happen. I would love to read more about these two.
This was a great read! I loved the attraction between Santiago and Jeff and the build up of what would happen. I would love to read more about these two.
January 17, 2019
Vaughn
First book written by Vaughn that I've read. This book was incredible and interesting. The characters where amazing and sexy. The storyline was great. Thanks
First book written by Vaughn that I've read. This book was incredible and interesting. The characters where amazing and sexy. The storyline was great. Thanks
August 20, 2019
The problem with short stories is that they don't always give you the opportunity to get to know the characters. Plus, most of the time it's a case of insta-love, which I can't stand.
December 4, 2019
This was a pleasant read.
February 15, 2020
Uneventful.
March 29, 2020
Was ok
A little boring. Wanted a bit more character building and more in depth scenes. Writing was ok. Possibly would try the author again
A little boring. Wanted a bit more character building and more in depth scenes. Writing was ok. Possibly would try the author again
June 28, 2020
Nice.
November 2, 2020
Surprising Pleasure to read!
I would have been happy to read on and get more of the guy's lives! The sex was well written, but not nearly enough! Ha!
I would have been happy to read on and get more of the guy's lives! The sex was well written, but not nearly enough! Ha!
December 21, 2020
Good but a little to short for my liking, I need more
March 16, 2021
Rating: 2.5 stars
Didn’t really care for this story. Almost DNF’d it but it was so short I forced myself to finish it. Thank goodness it was free.
Didn’t really care for this story. Almost DNF’d it but it was so short I forced myself to finish it. Thank goodness it was free.
August 14, 2021
Super
Loved this story. So different from my usual vampire reads. But so enjoyable, poignant, sexy and sweet. Keep them coming.
Loved this story. So different from my usual vampire reads. But so enjoyable, poignant, sexy and sweet. Keep them coming.
September 16, 2021
cute
It was a very cute quick read. Little steam but all the feels. No angst was involved really. I would def recommend
It was a very cute quick read. Little steam but all the feels. No angst was involved really. I would def recommend
February 27, 2022
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews