Praise

The Vow is a dark paranormal fantasy novel written by Laura Daleo. Claire Mathews was puzzled at not seeing her dad waiting for her at the airport. He was always very careful to be on time for any family activity. She grew even more confused and a bit alarmed when her attempts to call her parents or her brother, JJ, met with no success. Finally, she loaded her bags into a waiting taxi and made her own way home. Her driver took a second look at her when he arrived at her destination, as if to make sure she had it right. Claire was stunned to see the police tape festooning the front of her parents’ home. The police cars and the Medical Examiner’s van she saw turned her surprise into dread. Detective Reynolds was sent over to see her, and she met his questions with barely disguised impatience. Yes, she was a student, and home for the summer holidays -- but where were her parents and brother?

Laura Daleo’s dark paranormal fantasy novel, The Vow, is set in a world where vampires and humans live peacefully under the conditions set forth by The Vow. I’ll confess to being a bit jaded by urban fantasies featuring vampires, but found Daleo’s offering to be a most agreeable change from the standard fare. Her plot is precisely drawn and apt to please anyone who enjoys not only fantasy, but also well-written police procedural mysteries, and her characters are engaging and credible. Who killed Claire’s parents and what happened to JJ? Claire’s reactions to her sudden loss are the stuff that makes psychological thrillers tick, and her quest for answers and justice kept me hooked into this decidedly different vampire fantasy. Daleo’s insights into the vampire psyche are profound, and those characters in her book of the vampiric persuasion are especially worth spending some time with. The Vow is most highly recommended.

The Soul Collector is a work of fiction in the paranormal genre that is aimed at young adult audiences and was written by author Laura Daleo. The novel explores the world of the Soul Collector, the queen of a dark kingdom somewhere between the living and the dead. The Soul Collector’s world is another dimension that souls slip into when their bodies are comatose and kept alive only through machines. Filled with strange beings making deals with lost souls, those who end up there struggle to determine whether they’re in a mere dream, or if they really are bartering with their souls for a chance at a better life.

Author Laura Daleo has crafted a fascinating work that explores the mystery of what bodies, minds, and souls might do during the experience of living through a coma. With this supernatural concept of an in-between realm in place, Daleo employs some fantastic atmospheric descriptions to create this new world and populates it with many fascinating yet terrifying concepts and creatures that we are compelled to explore. One of the things I most enjoyed about it was that the protagonists were not necessarily heroes, but characters with their own flaws and difficulties that challenge them whilst navigating this new and dangerous realm. The plot revolves around an initially slow-burning dynamic which soon builds to a highly satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Soul Collector to mature young adult and adult readers seeking a truly unique paranormal adventure.

Immortal Kiss is a romantic paranormal fantasy written by Laura Daleo. Since she was very young, Beth has had a secret friend who she never really got to see. He came to see her as a mist that would sometimes assume the general shape of a man. On her seventeenth birthday, he covered her bed with rose petals, and Beth could not help but realize that she was in love with this otherworldly being. Beth's best friend, Danny, has also been in love with her for years and, several weeks before she turned 25, suggested that, since they'd been going out together for four years, the two of them start living together. They were sitting on their favorite bench overlooking the beach when he made that suggestion, and he was tired of hearing about the mist and dealing with the emotional ambivalence Beth was feeling. That evening, Beth would finally get to meet the being behind the mist, and nothing would ever be the same again.

Laura Daleo's debut romantic fantasy novel, Immortal Kiss, is enthralling and entertaining. Beth's phantom lover turns out to be very real and quite irresistible, and it's fun to watch the two of them bring their metaphysical relationship into the real world. Phillipe Delon is a dream come true for Beth, and she's quickly swept up into his world, but Daleo plants the seeds of discord early on in their budding romance, cueing the reader for something momentous to occur. I enjoyed seeing how the author tied vampires and vampirism with Egyptian mythology making her tale stand out and giving it dimension. While the story has a strong romantic theme, it contains no sexually explicit or erotic scenes, and the coming of age story implicit in Immortal Kiss would seem suitable for mature young adults as well as for an adult audience. Daleo has a planned sequel, Bound by Blood, which promises to continue the compelling tale of Beth and her vampire. Immortal Kiss is highly recommended.

Reviewed By Janelle Alex, Ph.D. for Readers' Favorite

Gripped in the mystery of the mist from the very beginning, your curiosity will be even further piqued as Laura Daleo unveils layer after layer of the unknown in Immortal Kiss. This sexy and romantic fantasy will have you on the edge of your seat with bated breath, anxiously waiting to turn to the next page. Daleo has crafted a very different take on vampires and romance. She leads you along a thrilling journey filled to the brim with questions, and a nagging feeling that there are deep, dark secrets that just might put her main character, Beth, at great risk. Writing from Beth's perspective, Daleo allows you to get inside the mind of this smitten young woman. As she plunges further and further into the vampiric world of her beloved, will she come to recognize herself as being captivated or captured?

Immortal Kiss is an exceptionally well-written paranormal fiction. The concept of shifting from living a human life to existing in a world of vampires is one that kept me from putting Daleo's Immortal Kiss down. I simply had to know what was going to happen next. What would become of Beth? Would she be safe and would she make the right decisions? I could almost hear her thoughts as my own. I could almost feel the spine tingling fear that she felt at times. Ah, and due to Laura Daleo's skillful writing, I could feel the depth of her love for her beloved vampire mate. I highly recommend Immortal Kiss for vampire and romance lovers alike!

Prepare yourself for the secret world of the vampire gods, their thirst for blood and the laws created to prevent the extinction of mankind. Unknown to humans, there are things that are deadly, that stay in the shadows and Laura Daleo’s Immortal Kiss takes us into the world of vampires, love, lies and what it means to be the next human sacrifice that saves the world.

Beth has always felt she was being watched, but she took comfort from the strange mist that she knew meant her no harm. Love emanated from the mist and soon, it became part of her fantasy life, her imaginary lover. The night Philippe came into her life, she thought he was the mist personified. Was he or was he a vampire who has found an unlikely love? Will the laws of the vampire world take Beth from Philippe to fulfill her role as a gift to the gods or has the letter of the law already been corrupted by one god’s forbidden fascination with the beautiful woman? Is there another who will do anything to condemn Beth to true death, and tear her from Philippe?

Edgy and dark, with a sweet romance nestled within, Immortal Kiss is filled with almost cinematic detail as Laura Daleo stages and directs each scene with great care and a flare for creating even more vampire lore to pour over! Beth and Philippe together are like a gentle and warm caress, their love is a wonderful thing. When the tension rises, ever the protector, Philippe will die for the woman he loves and Beth is not about to let that happen. That is romance! With a cast of vampires to round out this tale, the personalities run from roguish charmers who hide true loyalty to pompous gods who have forgotten their own inner goodness. Settle in, prepare for a read to be savored and just enjoyed, the pace is relaxed, the twists are creative and the vampire legal process? Well, they may be on to something there.

Immortal kiss by Laura Daleo
This is a paranormal read which I am utterly in love with! The story I crisp and clear with very descriptive language which leaves you wanting more and more. This is the first book and what a first book it is. It is a stunning piece of writing which I feel honoured to have been given the chance to read as an ARC.
The story is set as a young girl (Beth) and boy (Danny) who are in love and have been together from a very young age but Beth makes no secret of the mist who stole her heart years go and she just cannot give it up. The mist of course is vampire lover who Beth is utterly besotted with and turns her back on the boy she has loved and been with for most of her years. Don’t be fooled there are twists and turns in the story that will leave you flabbergasted but I promise you it is not disappointing.
The characters are fantastic and although some are only touched upon in this book I am sure the rest will become more known in future books. Beth is just delightful with a slightly troubled past but she never gives up and she fights for what she believes in. I truly felt all of her emotions.
I have always admired authors of paranormal stories as their imaginations must be so vivid to produce such amazing work. This is no exception to that. Thank you for such talented work.
I will be reading more from this author.
I rate this story 5 absolute stars!

Bound by Blood: Immortal Kiss is a romantic paranormal fantasy novel written by Laura Daleo. Beth has been waiting for him to come back to her for five long years now. Amon was her mysterious companion made of mist as she was growing up, and when she discovered her bedroom filled with rose petals, she realized that she had come to love him. Philippe had taken advantage of her, however, and she had married him, believing he was indeed her Amon, a vampire god. When she became aware of Philippe’s duplicity, her long vigil for her true companion began. Hathor, another vampire god, had wanted Amon for herself, and Isis and Osiris had conspired with her to cast the spell which took him away. The sadness of each of the five anniversaries of that day was a visceral thing that only the solace of wine could ease, at least temporarily. Her friend, Ptah, decided that Beth needed a party to cheer her up, a fancy dress party filled with kings and queens wearing masks. Beth wasn't all that sure about the idea, but allowed his enthusiasm to sway her. Then, it happened at that gala evening; the stranger who greeted her as she sheltered herself underneath a staircase was Amon. He had returned.

Laura Daleo's romantic paranormal fantasy, Bound by Blood: Immortal Kiss, continues the saga of Beth and her immortal companion, Amon, whose return means so many things to her. Philippe, her husband these five years, is asserting the primacy of their marriage, and Beth must reconcile her mixed feelings about him with her desire to be with Amon. There's also the matter of apprehending Hathor, Isis and Osiris and bringing them to justice. Bound by Blood is a marvelous tale with a plot that deftly blends fantasy, adventure and action. Beth is a strong, competent character who is so well-suited to be a companion to her vampire god lover. And while there's any number of vampire romance novels out there, this paranormal fantasy stands out as unique, noteworthy and a cut above the rest. Daleo’s writing is smooth and fluid, and her story is most enjoyable. Bound by Blood: Immortal Kiss is highly recommended.

Superb Vampire Thriller

This is a terrific story of vampire type life with great characters, suspense, and different twists, written by author Laura Daleo. Definitely, the taste and feel of blood is bound into the reader. The author's story is true to the fantasy of this genre, which is admirable. I like the way her story often touches on some very interesting and thought-provoking points of the blood thirsty creatures that roam the earth, a favorite bar, and some of the big meets and parties. I was intrigued by creation of the many characters drummed up by the author for this fantastic journey through that land of vampires and blood thirsty givers and takers:

Beth: Torn between who is really her lover and who really she is destined to love. Whose order should she follow?

Philippe: The bad boy, husband, who tries to do right by her, but stumbles sometimes trying to please her

Amon: Another vampire that rules over Beth’s mind and her tortured love for him. Encompasses her daily thoughts like any searched after lover.

Hathor: Another lover that stumbles in Beth’s path. Golden locks and a torrid heart that seeks blood and love.

Osiris and Isis: The chase begins. More blood and adventure finding them.

Caleb: Gallery owner and other personalities that reader will enjoy.

Ptah: Classic owner of the Beach House and holds the information that Beth needs to find her right lover.

Margarete: Comes and goes as she pleases. Helps Beth or tries to. Loves hanging out at Bloodthirst.

The Bar, Bloodthirst: Just like any other bar? No, this one has blood to drink and plot twists that take the reader on several journeys. Not a favorite hangout for Philippe.

The Council: Rules over the vampires lives. In the end, makes a decision that the reader must find out.

With all the blood and play for love, trying to find the true vampire partner, this novel is a must read, especially for all vampire lovers.

Enjoy, a great read.

A world where the vampires are out of the coffin and part of life? A truce was made long ago between humans and the vampires, no more sucking the blood of the living and no staking of the undead, sounds fair, right? Thank you Laura Daleo for a fabulous and fresh twist on our favorite creatures that go bump in the night! Too bad someone decided to break the rules. Settle in and prepare for The Vow and all of its twists, turns, and suspense as one human vows to find the vampire that drained her parents.

When the world’s most punctual parents failed to pick her up from the airport, Claire taxied her way home to discover her world turned inside out when she learns her parents have been murdered. The cause? Exsanguination, their blood was drained by someone with fangs and her brother, JJ was missing.

Alone, with no idea what to do or where to go, Claire takes to doing her own detective work when the police procedures seem too slow, with too many rules to follow. From volunteering in a Vampire Center where vamps line up to get blood by the bag, to naively accepting meetings with vampires, Claire puts her life on the line in her quest and desperation to find her brother.
What she didn’t expect to find was a vampire she could trust, one that would look out for her and even help her in her quest. Breaking laws was not an obstacle for either of them. But feeling more than camaraderie can be pretty scary.

Let go of reality, forget the rules, ignore that detective show you love, Laura Daleo is in charge and from start to finish, what Claire will do to find her brother and justice for her parents will resonate perfectly. Claire is headstrong, a little out of her league, but determined and wants justice served, but are the parents she knew and loved more than who they seemed to be?

Ms. Daleo has some major talent going on here and it shines through like the North Star. Shocking revelations, heartbreaking moments and characters that make you either love them or hate them, this tapestry of words from Laura Daleo is a fabulous read from start to finish!

When Death takes a vacation in New Orleans, he isn’t prepared to meet and fall in love with a young woman who is dying. However, that is exactly what happens to him. When Death sees Annaliese, a terminally ill young adult who has been forced to live life in a bubble, his first reaction is “She’s sitting on MY bench.” He notes the smell of disease on her and after pushing down his annoyance at this usurper on HIS observation spot, he sits down. Annaliese mistakes him for a pain-caused hallucination and pinches him—only to find out he’s real when he yelps.

Annaliese reveals that her life has been one continuous struggle with debilitating illness and she is done, done, done. Still in a hospital gown, she’d escaped from her medical keepers for an outing on her own terms. Death temporarily takes away her pain and they have a joyful day of going through the sights and shops in the French Quarter, including a photo booth where they mug for the camera. Alas, too soon, her parents, law enforcement, and first responders track her down to take her back to isolation. As they dance in the street to a jazz ensemble, she begs Death to take her and he complies.

Death, to his enormous surprise finds himself devastated by the loss of this human. Why? He has done this important job thousands of times. Why does this one make his heart break? He locks himself in his hotel room and grieves. Four days later, he returns to his bench to watch the ebbing and flowing crowd. Someone sighs. It is Annaliese! How is this possible?

Annaliese tells him she went to heaven and begged to return to his side. God granted her wish, making her immortal as an angel and she wings it right back to Death. She also tells him he needs new name. Death is not cutting it. She dubs him Clay.

Almost a year of bliss passes by. They enjoy their time together, living among humans in Clay’s sumptuous home. They attend a birthday bash for Annaliese, thrown by a wealthy human friend. When Clay leans in to kiss Annaliese, she pushes him away and bolts. As Clay nurses his grief with whiskey, a man named Domiel appears and tells Clay he’s being melodramatic. Clay has no idea who this person is and why he would say such things to a stranger. Or is he a stranger? Who is this and what are his intentions?

Cast aside your ideas of fully grown, asexual angels, absent desire for humans. Should angels live among humans? Would monsters such as the Nephilim be created from unions of angels and humans? You must read this story to find out the answers to these and other questions. This was an imaginative addition to angel stories, and the fermenting war between angels on God’s side and angels who disagree with God’s plans. I recommend this creative novel to anyone who enjoys romance and angel lore and give it 5 stars.