Review: Death's Servant by C.J. Ellison

Book Blurb

Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his alpha one too many times. After another argument he leaves the Manitoba pack, his only home since the werewolf attack that changed his life. He returns to his home state of Virginia to start a new life free of pack politics. Jon finds work and meets a young waitress, Raine, who appears to be a lone werewolf, too.

As their relationship progresses, Jon’s embroiled in more intrigue than he bargained for and a danger bigger than he can handle. He's running scared until his own alpha tendencies surface, making him unable to leave the pretty werewolf’s problems behind. The young man is desperate to save Raine—even if his efforts may lead him straight to death.

Journey along in this first prequel novel involving the favorite characters from the bestselling V V Inn series. Written at reader demand, this stand-alone story explains how the beloved Jonathan came to serve the deadly redheaded vampire, Dria.

Warning: This book contains one sex scene and graphic violence and is not intended for readers under 17.

Coming mid-April, 2015: A V V Inn “between the books” novella, titled Sharpen the Blade — free only to newsletter subscribers. Four parts will be posted on cjellisson.com from April to July, then available for purchase at retailers in July.

Copy and paste this into your browser to signup: http://bit.ly/cj-news

My Review

This is a quick read, just 159 pages but it's packed with a lot of information, action and a great story. 

Jonathan has a big argument with his alpha and then finds his girlfriend in bed with another guy so he takes off on his own. He finds a job and a waitress who acts like she likes him but then warms him to leave town. So he does what any alpha werewolf would do...he follows her to find out where she's going. 

What he finds boils his blood and turns his stomach. He's captured and then escapes and has to find someone to help him and that's when he finds Dria and Rafe. Dria is reluctant to help him but he makes her an offer that she can't refuse but Jonathan finds out that Dria is a lot more than she seems and when she arrives to save the hostages...a bloodbath ensues. 

This is a fast paced, action filled story and a prequel to the V V Inn books. So if you haven't read the books this is a great place to start but if you have read the books and liked them, you'll want to read this as well. 

I've only read one other book in this series, which was Death Times Two and you can find my review over on I Smell Sheep where I was a guest reviewer for them. 

The V V Inn, in reading order:

Death's Servant, First prequel novel

Vampire Vacation, Book 1

The Hunt, Book 2

Big Game, Book 3

Death Times Two, Book 4 ~ A Grim Reality and V V Inn novel co-authored with Boone Brux

Blood Legacy, Book 5

Sharpen the Blade, Book 6 (a "between the books" novel, coming July 2015)

Blood Reckoning, Book 7 (July 2015)

If you'd like to buy this book, you can find it here.

I received this this book for free after signing up for the authors newsletter but all opinions are my own.