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A journey of tortured vampires, longing, heartbreak, passion, betrayal, and redemption awaits you in the IMMORTAL KISS series.

Once We Were Witches

Immortal Kiss Series Book 4

by Laura Daleo

Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy

The mysterious world of witchcraft, murder, and mystery thrusts Raven Sagestone into an adventure whose main goal is to unlock the secrets of her powers. To do this, she teams up with Brandon Cass, an outsider with knowledge of the supernatural world. Raven is introduced to Eve, a psychic who reads destinies. Despite this, Raven is protected by a strong magic barrier, preventing Eve from seeing her. Brandon and Raven search for the truth at Bloodthirst, a vampire club. Visiting The Council's haven with Margarete and Caleb is Raven's chance to find answers to the questions that have plagued her.

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Chapter 1

A breaking news alert flashed on the TV screen as I bit into my bagel.

As the reporter stood by, the camera panned over to the lifeless body of a young woman hanging from a tree branch. “Witch” was carved into her gray, blood-stained forehead. He sighed and hung his head. “A seventh victim has been added to the list.”

I shoved my bagel aside as a sick feeling gripped my stomach. My heart ached as I stared at the girl’s lifeless face. How could someone be so cruel and sadistic? This was not just a random act of cruelty. And where were the police in all of this?

My mom walked in, grabbed the remote, and shut off the TV.

“I was watching that.”

“There’s no need to watch some sicko murder young women. Life’s too short to fixate on people like that.”

“I’m not fixated,” I clarified. “I’m concerned. There’s a difference. That’s seven girls now. Each with the word ‘witch’ carved into their foreheads. What are the police doing? Nothing?”

She blew me off. “Investigations take time. The police are doing everything they can. Your dad and I see a lot of accidents at the hospital. Sadly, crime is a real thing. But you,” she kissed my forehead, “don’t need to worry about that. Your focus should be on college and the class you need to get to.”

Mom was wrong. I had to worry. The creep pursued young women, specifically witches, a trait I shared and kept to myself. While my parents were blue-eyed and blonde-haired, I had pitch-black hair and brown eyes, and I also had strange birthmarks covering my forearms. It might seem like I have a tragic story, but I believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe I was destined to be abandoned outside the hospital where my adoptive parents worked. As they headed home after a long shift, they heard a faint cry near the emergency entrance. Rushing to investigate, they found me abandoned on the front steps, bundled in a pink blanket. As fate would have it, they immediately took me in and showered me with love.

As a baby, a toddler, a teen, and now at 19, a college student, they never saw me as anything but sweet, curious, sulky, and smart. They had no idea what I was hiding, the power I perfected, the spells I practiced, the magic I shed. In their eyes, I was like them. I knew I was someone beyond their comprehension, someone powerful. But who was I? Who were my birth parents who should have taught me how to use the gifts given to me at birth? The only information I had about my past came from visions—an image of a dark figure dropping me outside the hospital. There were no records of my birth, my parents, a location—as if I never existed. Bringing my questions to my adoptive parents wouldn’t do any good. They’d kept these secrets hidden from me. In spite of me knowing the real truth, my adoptive parents provided a birth certificate, giving me the name, Raven Sagestone. I love them, but I want answers. I wanted to know the truth, and it was clear it wouldn’t come from them. This was something I had to figure out for myself.

I put on my cropped denim jacket, kissed my mom on the cheek, and hit up Uber on my cell. My driver’s tests were a total disaster. I failed every time. It creeped me out when the instructors stared at me with their beady eyes. So…my driver’s license was out, and Uber was in. Having someone else do all the driving was a much better plan, for now anyway.

Forty minutes before class, the Uber driver dropped me off in front of the massive steps leading up to entrance of Granite Bay University. It was one of the oldest schools in Jodence, like something straight out of a fairytale. Its structure was reminiscent of a castle, with its towering columns, decorative arched windows, and cone-shaped roof; yet modern-day people dressed in jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers surrounded the ancient building—me being one of them.

In the past fourteen weeks, my daily agenda had consisted of visiting the library before class and researching its extensive collection of witchcraft, magic, and supernatural books. One of those books was certain to contain the answers to my birthright. I absorbed every word I came across about soul-bending, mental conjuring, healing rituals, protection rituals, binding magic, and the lore of fire, water, and air. One of the most fascinating things I discovered was the witch’s mark. It has likely been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. However, between the 15th and 18th centuries, it had a much darker history than it does now. Witches were often burned, hanged, drowned, and tortured, and those with red hair and extra fingers and toes were often suspected of witchcraft. Witch hunters used moles, birthmarks, scars, and extra digits to identify witches. It was a myth that a particular god or bloodline was associated with the presence of a mole cluster or rose-colored mark. My arms were covered in black symbols like ancient ink, and neither a cluster nor a mark applied to me. Thank goodness I wasn’t born back then.

With my arms full of books, I walked beneath the library’s massive brick archways, combing its numerous aisles for books I hadn’t read. When I rounded the corner, I tripped over a guy sitting on the floor. My books flew through the air and landed with a thud. I groaned as I hit the ground, hoping I had not damaged my books. The guy on the floor, on the other hand, quickly sprang up and apologized profusely.

His hands steadied me as he blurted, “Whoa, sorry.” He helped me gather my books and ensured I was okay. An adorable smile swept along his lips as he brushed sandy-brown hair out of his hazel-colored eyes. He was probably one of those guys unaware of how cute he was, but cute or not, he’d parked his ass in the middle of the aisle, causing me to trip.

“What the hell, dude? There are tables to sit at and read.”

“Yeah, I see your point,” he grinned, revealing dimpled cheeks as he flipped through the books. “So you’re into witches? Or maybe it’s research for a paper about what’s going now right now?”

“Does it matter?”

He squished his eyebrows together and tilted his head to the side. “Do you know my sister?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.” He tucked the books under his arm and bobbed his chin toward the tables. “Here, let me help you. It’s the least I can do.”

With a smile, I accepted his offer. “Thank you.”

He arranged the books on the table before shoving his hands into his pockets. Then he stood there, studying me.

“Stare much?”

“Has anyone told you, you’re difficult?” He didn’t wait for me to respond. “But hey, I apologize for staring.” He spread his fingers and moved them in a circular motion over my face. “You remind me of someone, Eve. She’s got the same dark hair, ivory skin, and red lip look.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know anyone named Eve.”

“Hmph.”

The sound of a distant scream sent chills down my spine. My eyes darted around, searching for the source. “Did you hear that?”

“That was definitely a scream.”

Students leapt from their seats, hurling books onto the floor as their gazes swept the room. Librarians abandoned their posts and spilled into the aisles. Panicked voices shouted, “Who screamed?” “What happened?” Me and the guy were thrown into madness by a stampede of people charging to the exits and pushing us out of the building and onto the library’s steps.

The echo of my thumping heart filled my ears as I tried to figure out what was happening around me. The once orderly campus had become a chaotic mess as hundreds of people rushed by, pushing and shoving, their faces filled with panic. As I fought my way through the crowd, I couldn’t help but wonder where everyone was going and what had happened to cause such chaos.

“There!” the guy pointed toward the sculpture of the university’s tower in the courtyard.

I gasped as my eyes landed on the bodies. Three girls hung from the white tower with their necks bound together, now covered in blood. As I looked at their lifeless eyes and saw the word “witch” carved across their foreheads, a chill ran down my spine. An eerie, tragic, and horrific scene surrounded the stained white tower. As students and teachers huddled together, whispering in disbelief, a shrill of sirens echoed in the distance, intensifying panic and fear. Police authorities were under pressure to find those responsible for these horrific acts.

“Damn, three this time,” he uttered with shock.

I couldn’t speak. My throat swelled with a huge sob as I slowly shook my head.

The police rushed in, their footsteps pounding the sidewalk as they raced toward the tower. Their faces were determined as they cautiously approached the cordoned-off area. They quickly pulled out their clipboards and meticulously documented the evidence, taking photographs of the area.

An officer, wearing an exasperated expression, yelled. “Get back! This is a crime scene.”

I flinched, staggered backward, before firmly planting my feet on the ground. I wasn’t going anywhere. This was my battle. I needed answers. Those poor girls needed answers too. My eyes grew wide as I demanded, “Why don’t you find this sick creep before we all die?”

The guy’s gaze burned into my flesh as he snapped his head toward me. “What are you doing?”

The officer thrust his shoulders back and barked out, “You need to step back.”

“Are you trying to get arrested?” the guy whispered in my ear.

Just as his words entered my head, I overheard someone say, “They’re ice cold; not a drop of blood in them.”

My eyes locked on the authoritative policeman. “Blood? Is that new? Were the other girls drained of blood too?”

A pair of squinted eyes glared at me. “You can retreat or go downtown and think about your actions in a jail cell.”

“Omgeez, man up much?” the guy said as he grabbed my arm and hurried me away. “You need to calm down.”

I tore my gaze away from the dead girls and locked it on him. “Don’t tell me what to do. You don’t know anything about me. I want answers for those girls.” And myself, I privately declared. “It seems nobody is fighting for them.”

“It might seem that way on the surface, but I’m sure they’re doing everything they can to help.”

“I wish I could believe that, but dead bodies keep showing up…” My voice cracked as the sob squeezing my throat broke free. My shoulders quivered, and I buried my face in my hands.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and softened his voice. “They’ll catch ’em. It’ll be okay.”

Sniffling, I sighed, “I can’t concentrate. I can’t be in class.”

“We can walk to The Grind, get a coffee, and just relax.”

I nodded and then hung my head as he led me away from the gruesome scene of dead girls.

Once We Were Witches is the fourth book in the Immortal Kiss series by Laura Daleo. Once again I was pulled into the Immortal Kiss world of vampires, witches, and magic in Once We Were Witches. And once again I can’t give this series the praise it needs as I am only able to give it five stars. I would give it a higher rating if I only could as it surely deserves it.

I can’t get enough of this world and all its magic not to mention the vampires and the witches. Once again I was pulled deep into its world with all the many surprising twists and turns that it kept throwing at me. I was left surprised by each and every one of them. These twists are one of the big reasons I kept turning those pages wanting more and more.

I have read lots of books about vampires and witches but I don’t believe I have ever read anything quite like the Immortal Kiss series. This is one series that I don’t want to see end ever. If I could read stories from this world every day then I would be one happy camper for sure.

The Immortal Kiss series keeps on reminding me of True Blood over and over with its vampire council and how things work with the vampires. I love the vampire bar.

Raven Sagestone has known all her life that she was different from the people around her but just how different she didn’t know. Someone is killing women and carving "witch" into their foreheads. Raven thinks someone should stand up for these women and herself as well. Raven thinks she is just the person to do so.

Raven sets out on a quest to find out who she is and why she is so different from everyone else. She wants to know why she has magic. When Raven uses her magic it feels as if she is being blocked or held back or something. On her journey, Raven meets Brandon who knows just where to start looking for the answers she needs or wants.

I can’t wait to read more in the Immortal Kiss series and meet new characters. I would also like to read more about the characters I have already met in this world. I would also like to learn more about this world that was created for the Immortal Kiss series.

I highly recommend Once We Were Witches to all fans of vampires, witches, and magic. Grab a copy of Once We Were Witches today!

The Vampire Within

Immortal Kiss Series Book 3

Brandon Cass is not your average teenager. He has a taste for blood—human blood. For sixteen years, he stumbled through life without a hitch until the enigmatic aroma of blood awakened something dark within him. Visions of a beautiful young woman with chocolate brown hair and ocean blue eyes haunt his mind, yet her identity is a puzzling mystery.

His hunger for blood strengthens, and the cravings become too powerful to control. No one is safe, not even his family. To safeguard all he once found dear, Brandon sets out on a quest for answers. In an unfamiliar city, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful young woman, confronts the dark force which controls him, and learns what he must endure to reclaim his soul.

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The Vampire Within is the third book in the Immortal Kiss series by Laura Daleo. This series just keeps on amazing me page after page. I love this world of Immortal Kiss. I can’t get enough of it. The more I read the more I want to read until I have devoured the whole thing. It is epic…..

In The Vampire Within Brandon Cass is a normal teenager just like any other but then overnight things change for Brandon and his world is no longer the same. One day at school Brandon starts to smell blood and then he starts to crave it. It is unlike any craving he has ever had. The craving gets so intense that Brandon loses it right in front of the whole school or at least his classmates.

He can take it no longer as the smell of the blood of the girl who has a thing for him becomes his whole world. The next thing Brandon knows is that his friends are dragging him off the girl. He has bitten her. He is afraid. What is happening to him? He doesn't want to hurt anyone. What is he going to do?

Brandon wants/needs answers as to what is happening to him. He finds a clue and sets out to find the truth with the help of his sister and his tutor Rick. Their journey takes them to a dark place that neither of them may return from.

The Vampire Within is an epic amazing read. I love the new twists on vampires. The twists just keep on popping up and the more twists they are the more surprising they become. I was on the edge of my seat from page one waiting to see what was going to happen.

The Vampire Within is a very intense read that kept me chopping at the bit as I raced to the end not because I wanted it to end no just the opposite I didn’t want it to end but I just couldn’t stop reading. If I haven’t said it before I will say it now or possibly again I love this series very much. I can’t wait to dive into the next book Once We Were Witches to see where the story goes next.

I highly recommend The Vampire Within to all vampire fans! Trust me if you like vampires then you are going to fall in love with this series! Grab a copy of The Vampire Within today!

Bound By Blood

Immortal Kiss Series Book 2

Five years crawled by at a painfully slow pace for young vampire, Beth; each year more agonizing than the next. The powerful unyielding spell which masked Amon’s whereabouts showed no signs of weakening. Influenced by the binding ritual and Amon’s blood surging inside her, Beth will stop at nothing, and risk everything, to find him and turn the tables on Osiris, Isis, and Hathor. In foggy streets of London, lives are threatened by a new breed of hunter, and nothing is what it seemed. Beth once again finds herself surrounded by betrayal. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between Philippe and Amon – knowing that her decision will change one life forever. But whose?

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Bound by Blood is the second book in the Immortal Kiss series by Laura Daleo and a great continuation of Beth’s story. Beth has been a vampire for five years now. Beth’s maker Amon has been missing these past five years. Beth has been searching for him ever since. In the meantime, Beth married Philippe whom she loves very dearly.

Actually, Beth’s heart is torn between Amon and Philippe. She loves them both and her heart is in distress trying to figure out what she truly wants.

The fire is slowly dying in Beth and Philippe’s relationship. Or at least their flame is not dancing as high as it once did. Beth is no longer sure she can trust Philippe as he has given her reason not to.

Is Beth’s love for Philippe strong enough to overcome their problems? Does Beth even want to try? Maybe her heart is leading her toward another in a stronger way? Does Beth’s heart belong to another? Who does Beth’s heart belong to?

I so love the world that was created for the Immortal Kiss series. It just got better with the second book Bound by Blood. When reading Bound by Blood I kept thinking about True Blood and The Twilight Saga. I love the twists on the vampire world in Bound by Blood.

The suspense and the twists kept the pages turning for me along with the vampires, the vampire council, the vampire hunters, and the vampire bar, yeah I loved the vampire bar and its occupants. I can’t wait to dive into the next book, The Vampire Within to see what awaits.

I highly recommend Bound by Blood to all vampire lovers! Grab a copy of Bound by Blood today!

Immortal Kiss

Immortal Kiss Series Book 1

Centuries ago ten powerful vampire gods first walked the earth; their blood thirst knew no boundaries. The destruction of mankind was inevitable. Recognizing their weakness, they selected twelve wise human beings to transform with their godly blood. These twelve, known as The Old Ones and The Council, govern The Ten. A blood lottery appeasing The Ten’s hunger was set forth into the human world and passed down every fifth generation, continuing into the present day.

All of Beth Ryan’s life a mysterious mist has watched over her; a mist she believed to be a vampire. On a cold winter night, Philippe Delon, a 700-year-old vampire walks into Beth’s life. She is drawn to him, certain he is the vampire behind the mist...but is he?

Beth and Philippe cannot deny their love for each other, nor do they try to fight it. Within days of their encounter, Beth accepts Philippe’s invitation to move into his mansion. The mansion unlocks the door to the vampire world and exposes secrets from Beth’s past. Within its walls, she learns the true identity of the mist, her link to the blood lottery, and betrayal of her loved ones. Surrounded by lies, Beth stands before The Council begging for resolution.

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Immortal Kiss is the first book in the Immortal Kiss series by Laura Daleo. Immortal Kiss pulled me into its world from the first chapter and didn’t let go until the last page. But even now as I sit here writing my review it is still heavily on my mind. Once I picked up Immortal Kiss I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

I love the world that was created for Immortal Kiss. I love the unique and new twist on vampires. I don’t think I have ever read anything like this before. Well, not the twists on vampires. I love how Laura Daleo combines vampires and gods together in one story. I can’t wait to read more in the Immortal Kiss Series.

Beth Ryan has been seeing a misty figure out of the corner of her eye since she was a child. Beth has wanted to meet the misty figure for a long time. Beth’s boyfriend wants to take their relationship to the next level by asking her to move in with him but Beth is not ready.

But then she meets the misty figure and learns he is Philippe Delon, a 700-year-old vampire. After only knowing Philippe for a little while he asks Beth to move in with him and she accepts. Crazy right? But she has sort of known him for a long time from afar. I guess it was a love-at-first-sight sort of thing.

But then things take another twist when another vampire is introduced into the mix. This new vampire has a thing for Beth as well. Well, now things started to really heat up as I was hanging on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen now. I mean wow two vampires to choose from. Oh my, what is Beth going to do? Who will she choose? A better question is who is her heart going to choose?

Immortal Kiss is a very fascinating and enthralling story that kept me glued to the pages wondering where the story was going next. The world-building is just awesome. I have to say again that the storyline is fabulous. What more could you ask for I mean you have vampires, gods, and romance.

Grab a copy of Immortal Kiss today!

LAURA DALEO has been writing for over 20 years and has published 7 books. In addition to advocating for reading and writing, she is a strong supporter of the Indie author community. She is well known for her Immortal Kiss series which captures vampiric persuasion. The Egyptian pantheon, which gave rise to vampires, is explored in this series in an interesting way.

Laura has a passion for writing stories that explore the supernatural realm and bring her characters to life. Her published works include Immortal Kiss, Bound by Blood, The Vampire Within, Once We Were Witches, The Vow, The Soul Collector, and The Doll.

With her Facebook group, The BOOKLounge For Readers and Authors, she has created a community for readers and authors. It is home to over 65k active members. In addition, Laura is contributing to a short story anthology with four other authors from The BOOKLounge for Readers and Authors. The anthology is scheduled for release in October 2023.

A native of San Diego, California, Laura now lives in Tucson, Arizona with her two dogs, Rose and Cooper.

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