A Chance for Us

4.5 Stars ~ 'A Chance for Us' is book two in Jake C. Wallace's fascinating 'New Vampire Justice' series. I would recommend reading these books in order as there is extensive backstory that I believe shouldn't be missed. The author has created a fascinating world and pretty much thrown out most vampire lore. These vampires look exactly like humans except for the elongated canines that are in constant appearance, and the fact they need to supplement their diet with blood. The majority of vampires have never bitten a human, find the idea repulsive, and drink synthetic blood. There is no super strength, faster than a bullet reflexes, yadda, yadda, yadda. Oh, and these vampires are considered third-class citizens with little to no rights.

Justin broke my heart when I first heard about him in Carson and Lincoln's book, and when he appeared in his catatonic state clutching Max as a lifeline I ached with pain for this young man. It's been five months since then and recently Justin feels like he's going insane. He has these crazy memories of being tied down and inflicted with pain that becomes pleasure, but what kind of a sick freak does that make him? In a rash effort to get over his hurt when he believes Max will never see him as anything but a responsibility, Justin inadvertently puts himself right back into the hands of his torturers.

Max, Lincoln, and the team are stunned when they find Justin and the physical shape he's in, plus having returned to his catatonic state. Having come to this club with Caden, Carson's little brother who has now disappeared, the NVJ is going to do everything they can to find out who is behind this and possibly behind the disappearance of five humans from the bite club in the past year. Something tells them that Justin might just have the answers they need trapped within his mind. The surprises continue to pile up, some right at their door, before Lincoln, Max, Doc, and the team realize there is something so incredible going on that, if discovered, it would start an all-out war between humans and vampires. No. I'm not telling.

I liked this book even better than the first installment. It was hard not to fall for Justin and Max, and want the NVJ to win this latest battle against evil. 'A Chance for Us' was a little less action-packed than the first book, but the scientific mystery/thriller portion was top-notch. The author has left me knowing the war between humans and vampires is now inevitable and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

Reviewed by Morningstar for Diverse Reader

I could not put this book down! Since I read my first Jake C. Wallace I have been hooked to his style of writing and creative, intense, exciting, sexy, hot, freaking awesome stories! He is able to create this connection not only between his characters but with the reader in the way he wraps us into the world he has created and the journey he takes you on while crafting a love story that is equally full of heart and suspense.

This is book two of the New Vampire series which gives us the story of Max and Justin. We met these two guys in book one, Dare to Love Forever, when Max helped rescue Justin from the bad guy along with the rest of NVJ. This is NOT a standalone story!! There is an overarching storyline that continues in this book about the vampire and human relations along with the bad guy from the first story. Another fantastic thing that Jake is able to do is create a good mystery in this story of who is the mastermind behind all the human kidnappings!

Even the small amount of Justin we got from book one I was beyond impatient for his story. Justin was bitten, by force, years ago by his now ex-boyfriend Carson and the bite of a Tabula Rosa vampire puts anyone bitten into a catatonic state, one where the body is alive but it’s just a shell or so they thought. Justin has no idea what happened to him while he was catatonic for 7 years from the bite but he knows something is wrong because he feels like he can’t keep it together. All he knows now is that Max makes him feel safe and after months of living as roommates Justin knows he has fallen for the vampire and now he wants to get better to ensure that Max won’t get rid of him for being a burden. But things aren’t that easy and Justin has to work hard to work past everything that has happened to him once the memories flood back in. My heart broke for this man. He had been through so much and just wanted to be normal and try to earn the love of a straight man who made him feel safe and wanted. The evolution of Justin throughout this story was difficult to watch at times but wonderful to see. He holds a special place in my heart for his strength in character and his determination.

Max had been through a terrible loss in this life and was struggling to get back out there afterwards. He loved having Justin as his roommate, hanging out with him watching movies and talking but he knew life couldn’t stop just because of his loss. Forcing himself to go on date with a woman wasn’t so hard but leaving Justin out of mind wasn’t as easy. And the date came with a realization that he never saw coming but before he can really let that settle Justin is hurt and he runs to his rescue once again. But can he get his Justin back this time? Will he ever be able to tell him how he feels about him? Max has this tough guy attitude that makes you think he is ten feet tall and steel to his core but with Justin he is just a sweet romantic caring guy. But one that knows that he can and will give Justin what he needs. And boy oh boy was that hot!

We get a host of secondary characters just like in book one. We have all the NVJ officers, some new and some old, of course we get to see Lincoln and Carson from book one and learn more about what is going on with Carson’s powers, Tommy and Doc and although Tommy is still very much hurt Jake delivers a touching, sweet side part of this story that makes it so I can’t wait for Jake to give us their story! It seems like there is a lot going on but the story is well ordered with the right pace set from page one that I never felt like is too much or too slow.

Another 5 stars from me to Jake C. Wallace for another fantastic creative new story!

A Chance for Us is book two of the New Vampire Justice series. It is Max and Justin's story. If you read book one you having been waiting for this as much as I have. If not grab book one and catch up. I think you could read this one without book one as Jake did a great job of explaining things but I think you would understand things more if you had read the first one. And if you like Vampires you will love it.

Justin had been missing ever since Carson bit him when they were teenagers. He was found in a catatonic state when The NVJ took down the evil Vampire Merrick that was kidnapping vampires and stealing their powers. He had slowly started waking up and latched onto Max as a safety net. Now Justin is having anxiety issues and panic attacks, and only Max can calm him.

Max is confused by his feelings for Justin. The longer they are together, the more his feelings grow and confuse him. He is straight or at least until he met Justin. Now he has feelings he isn't sure why.

The NVJ is investigating the case of 5 missing humans from a bite club along with trying to locate the rest of the kidnapped vampires from Merricks case.What they find is quite disturbing.

(Warning: This book has bondage, S&M, Torture, Noncon or at the least Dubious consent. If any of this bothers you, this isn't the book for you. )

I have been waiting for this story since I read the first on and wasn't disappointed. WE meet new characters and get stories from a few of the old ones such as Doc and Tommy and more of Lincoln and Carson and Caden along with the main story of Justin and Max. Surprisingly all of these storylines fit in smoothly with the plot and don't make the story cluttered or confusing.As I mentioned in the warning, there is some torture and other acts of violence that Justin remembers as he has flashbacks and stuff. There is explicit sex as well some containing bondage and S&M as Justin learns to deal with his need for pain. I think the author did an excellent job of fitting this in without turning the story into porn. But if this kind of thing bothers you, this may not be for you.

Now for the plot. There is a lot going on with the cases, and the bite clubs. The story kept me breathlessly at times and biting my nails at others. You need to block off sometimes because you won't want to put it down once you start. And when I got to the end...What the heck? Jake, you can't do this to me! Hurry with the next book darn it!

If you like vampires that don't sparkle, Men(vampires) in uniform, violence, engaging characters, page turners and, erotic sex, This is for you. I can't wait for the next one!