“Bloodlust Blues” introduces fans of urban fantasy to the world of Charley Underwood. Charley, a reluctant witch, has the task of unravelling the complexities of Crimson Town, a town filled with humans, shifters, witches, and vampires. The town is plagued by a string of unexplained disappearances baffling Charley and her cohorts. Offering a perfect blend of magic and intrigue, “Bloodlust Blues” is a must- read for fans of the genre.
Welcome to Crimson, Georgia. I’m Charley—reluctant witch, and owner of the best bar in town.
Title: Bloodlust Blues
Author(s): Luanne Bennett
Series: Charley Underwood #1
Also in this series: Bloodlust Bites
Published by Hachette UK - Second Sky on March 22, 2024
Pages: 310
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy
Source: Kindle Unlimited, Netgalley
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating: 
Series Rating:
Everyone’s welcome at the Stag—vampire, wolf or human. As long as they don’t make trouble. Or ask too many questions about what we’re selling out of the back room.
I keep the beers coming, and in return the town keeps my secret. But when a gang of deadly vampires shows up at the bar, it’s clear they’re not looking for a drink. They want to take my business. Or my blood.
But this is more than just a shake down. All over town, people are dropping like flies. Disappearing or attacking their neighbors. It’s like they’re possessed. And someone—or something—is pulling the strings.
As if I didn’t have enough trouble, a fancy new restaurant just opened right across the street. And a sexy vampire from out of town seems to think I need protection. I have plenty of dangerous friends already… so why can’t I stop thinking about him?
The whole town is going to hell. Perhaps literally. And it looks like it’s up to me to stop it.
Discover a thrilling new series that will leave you reading late into the night. With heart-stopping twists and a found family you’ll fall in love with, this urban fantasy is perfect for fans of Annabel Chase, Charlaine Harris, and Patricia Briggs.
“Bloodlust Blues” is book one in the Charley Underwood series. Charley, a businesswoman, runs a bar bequeathed to her by her mother. The establishment serves as a haven for Crimson Town’s residents, where everyone is welcome provided, they don’t cause any disturbances. Besides managing the bar, Charley secretly operates a cooperative, supplying vampire blood to humans as an affordable substitute for prescription medications for various ailments, an endeavor that, unbeknownst to her, may not be as clandestine as she thinks.
Everything was proceeding smoothly until her co-op business partner suddenly became possessed. Meanwhile, some residents have disappeared, and others began acting oddly. And then there’s the new business owner across the street—what exactly is his agenda?
This is my first Luanne Bennett novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. As I write this review, I’ve began reading the second book. ‘Bloodlust Blues’ encounters the common challenges of first books in urban fantasy series entries: an emphasis on world-building and not much character building, setting the stage for the unfolding drama that’s to come.
At first, the multitude of simultaneous events made the story challenging to follow, but eventually, it all came together. Unanswered questions remained but hopefully the next installment provides answers. The mystery proved to be underwhelming since it was obvious who was responsible for the disappearances, although Charley and her friends failed to see it. However, determining if the victims were dead or alive provided some redemption to the mystery. The secondary characters are quite intriguing. I am keen to discover more about Dog the werewolf, Tucker the psychic, and Samuel the vampire. Samuel seems to be emerging as a romantic interest for Charley, and I am interested in seeing how this element of the story unfolds.
The trip to Crimson Town was an enjoyable, magical and chaotic adventure brimming with humor
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- Face Off With the Captain: R C Stephens - September 12, 2024
- The One I Didn’t See Coming : Piper Rayne - September 10, 2024
- Meant for Gabriel: Natasha Madison - September 8, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2024 COYER Summer Challenge
- 2024 Netgalley and Edelweiss
Always excited to learn about a new to me urban fantasy series!
Using vampire blood as a medicine is a fun way to make a buck in this book. This sounds good.
I am curious about this and look forward to your thoughts on the next book.