ARC Review: Chosen by Blood {Para Ops, #1} by Virna DePaul

Title: Chosen by Blood
Author: Virna DePaul
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Para-Ops, #1
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Pub. Date: May 3, 2011
Received By: By Author

~ Blurb ~

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and otherborn- humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA-still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

Leader of an Otherborn clan, half-breed vampire Knox Devereaux would do anything to find a cure for the anti-vamp vaccine slowly starving his people into extinction. When the FBI contacts him about leading a team of hand-selected Others on a mission to reclaim the stolen antidote, Knox accepts. His new assignment places him in direct contact with Special Agent Felicia Locke, the beautiful human he's craved since their very first meeting.

Felicia's experience as a hostage negotiator makes her a natural asset to a team divided by suspicion and prejudice. While being in close contact with Knox makes the desire she feels for him difficult to deny, Knox must marry a vampire, and she's not about to be his human lover on the side.

As the team embarks on its dangerous mission, Knox is determined to convince Felicia that the passion that connects them is enough to transcend both race and her human idea of mortality. But Felicia is intent on teaching Knox that complete trust and love are the only forces strong enough to unite human and Other, once and forever.

Virna DePaul has created a world in Chosen by Blood that pulsates with life, betrayal, prejudice, and forbidden loves and friendships. A world where not all is who and what they seem, as each turn of the page leads the reader on a mysteriously shrouded adventure. Carefully thought out plot development, masterfully engineered theme, and humans and creatures that could be your friends, family members, and neighbors are only a few of the aspects readers will discover.

With each anticipatory flip of the page, readers are immersed in a world that is spectacularly envisioned and expertly executed in the writing. The perfect 'what if'  paranormal story that seduces, captivates, then seduces some more!

What would happen if vampires and other supernatural creatures where finally known to be part of our world? What do you think humans would do? What about our government? International governments? What about tensions between different races/species? Could you love someone from a different race when it is looked down upon? At what cost would allow yourself to love? Trust a race that once betrayed your own? What if it was someone close to you that ultimately betrayed you? What if you dislike yourself just by the type of blood that ran through your veins? Virna DePaul explores these questions in her Para-Ops series, beginning with Chosen by Blood. 


Five years after the Civil War; a war founded on fear of vampires being part of  human society, vampires are slowly becoming extinct.  When vampires first 'came out of the closet', humans were inoculated with something that made their blood 'un-pure' allowing for the weakening and killing out vampires. Vampires were subjugated to live in domes, protecting them from the sun yet at the same time keeping them separated - and at the same time not -- from humans.

However, vampires aren't the only ones deemed 'different' and held in cautious regard. The world is shaky in its acceptance of Otherborns: vampires, shifters, werewolves, wraiths, and others who hold psychic abilities. But, the FBI has plans to ease the tension and reclaim a stolen antidote that will reverse the blood-tainted effects of the original inoculation. Knox Devereaux, leader of a clan of vampires, a dharmire (half-human, half-vampire), is determined to save his race as well as find a way for him and his soul-mate, human Felicia Locke, to finally be together. However, Knox himself is torn between loyalty, obligations, and directives from the vampire council and that of his love of a human. 

When the FBI approaches him to lead a one of the most important, secretive, special ops teams (Para-Ops) to retrieve the stolen antidote, Knox hesitantly jumps on the opportunity, especially since it will provide him an opportunity to be closer to the real love of his life. But when species are not supposed to inter-marry and truly trust one another, their love is tested and tried over and over.

Knox and Felicia are very likable characters with realistic personal flaws and realistic relationship issues. I couldn't help be drawn in to their relationship, wishing and hoping for the best between the two of them. Their passion and deep-seated love for one another is palpable and believable, and these two (okay, Virna DePaul) definitely know how to heat up the pages and leave you squirming in your own seat! Hot doesn't begin to describe it, and I think the ultimate reason is because the author has done a fantastic job at creating a very believable and passionate love between Knox and Felicia. They grow together throughout the story and have to overcome not only personal issues with their own species, but learn how to adapt to and transcend the conflicts that come with them each loving someone from a different race. 
 
Virna DePaul depicts the world-building, the characters, the emotions, subjugation, and conflicts by bringing them to life through carefully articulated descriptions and rich dialogue!

I could see the 'dome' that sheltered --and secluded -- Otherborn vampires. I could see a vampire council seeking justice while adhering to ancient laws and obligations. I could feel the threat of malevolence, prejudice, and weariness between species; each fighting to prove themselves worthy of equal rights among one another. But, most importantly, I could feel the spirit within each Otherborn-creature as they fight for a forbidden love and friendships of another species.

DePaul gives readers a deeper look into the effects of race conflicts and what it takes to gain friendships and trust amongst creatures that have been wronged -- and why each member is ultimately on the team: each is driven by a personal need and desire, not all reveled in this first book. She keeps the reader on the edge of their seat wondering who's the real betrayer of the key members. Who's really the one killing and maneuvering a sabotage of the main characters and the finding of the antidote?


While action changes the setting between Washington DC, Oregon, and North Korea, readers are privy to the development of the various friendships and love interests between the different Para-Ops (and others) members.


Chosen by Blood specifically follows the relationship between Knox and Felicia, and it is nothing short of HOT!!! Seriously people, this is seduction at some of its best! And while their relationship is very nicely wrapped up by the conclusion of the first book, we are left with a nice little cliffy that will have you anxiously awaiting the next installment. DePaul has magnificently created a story arc  and character arcs that sets the stage of possibilities for future books while still leaving you happy with the conclusion of the first!  

I highly recommend this book to paranormal romance lovers looking for an intelligently written, suspenseful, seductive and HOT story! This book is unique and carries rich, meaningful themes that mirror so many of today's societal issues. This book is a TOP PICK for me and is a story that I would love seen made into a movie  -- it's just that good!!