reviewsThe Vampire Shrink“A refreshingly original twist on the vampire story. Fast-paced and fun.”
"Lynda Hilburn creates a fascinating world--wicked and sexy!"
"A great blend of humor, horror, and quirky mystery. Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton will love Lynda Hilburn."
"In The Vampire Shrink, Lynda Hilburn takes readers on a well-crafted roller coaster ride where the line between reason and madness blurs and the worlds of science and fantasy collide."
“Fans of paranormal romance will welcome Lynda Hilburn’s steamy new series about a psychologist who finds herself treating an unlikely clientele, who have a lot of serious issues. Hilburn is the latest Denver author to show us a dark, dangerous, and sexy layer under the city’s wholesome surface.”
“The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn is a can’t put down, spine-tingling, laugh out loud book that will keep you glued till you turn the final page. Even then I found myself wanting more and praying that there would be a continuation. Devereux is pure delight for the senses, a vampire to delight any woman. Alan is a complex soul that deserves to be explored more thoroughly. And Kismet Knight is the very meat of the story. I love her expressions, her sarcasm and wit, and the inner workings of her mind that are shared with us. I can’t wait for more of Kismet! So if you only pick up one vampire book this year, make sure that it is The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn. You won’t be disappointed!”
“A very well written horror fantasy! Keeps the reader’s eyes glued to the pages up to the very end. Scary yet sensual! The characters seem to leap from the pages. As the plot flows along, the horror deepens. Great intrigue! A marvelous unique writing style causes the suspense to build as the mystery unfolds . . . Lynda Hilburn has woven a sticky web of intrigue with The Vampire Shrink.”
"In The Vampire Shrink, Lynda Hilburn brings readers a fantastic new paranormal romance with a uniquely intriguing plot and a heroine that just endears herself to the readers. Written in first person, The Vampire Shrink follows the life of Kismet Knight a soon to be psychologist to vampires. Readers are immediately pulled in as Kismet first encounters the stories of vampires and then must explain away all the strange happenings with her scientific mind. Kismet takes each escalating experience with savvy and spunk. Hilburn creates two very charismatic heroes in the mysterious Devereux and dynamic Alan. While creating a love triangle that moves the story along, Hilburn also brings alive the underworld of the vampire. The Vampire Shrink is an intriguing paranormal with a spunky heroin and sexy heroes that readers just won’t want to miss. I hope to see more of The Vampire Shrink—this book is a real winner."
"Kismet Knight’s conversion from cynic to believer makes for a fun paranormal thriller as the heroine becomes THE VAMPIRE SHRINK. Readers will understand her transformation from scorning skeptic with dreams of fame and fortune to psychologist to vampires as the story line is told in the first person mostly from Kismet’s perspective. Adding to the satirical entertainment is the odd romantic triangle between the Fed, the vampire master, and the shrink. Lynda Hilburn writes an enjoyable biting frolic that will turn skeptical readers into true believers of her talent."
“Lynda Hilburn creates a fresh vampire story that includes humor, intuition, mystery, romance, and the paranormal. The Vampire Shrink is a nice departure from all of the other types of vampire stories. It is about vampires, but is told in a unique way. . . creating a story that has well developed characters . . .”
“This author has created another world within the normal city limits of Denver. Kismet is forced to face the reality that vampires actually do exist and that one of them has picked her out for his mate. The vampires themselves are not all that different from the humans they once were, and Kismet finds treating them as rewarding as treating the living. Her association leads to some very exciting and suspenseful situations as well as some very hot love scenes between herself and both Devereux and Alan. I found it hard to put this story down and waited with baited breath for her to choose one or the other, I definitely had my favorite.”
"The Vampire Shrink is a really good book. It has a quality that reminds me a bit of the early Anita Blake novels. There’s black humor, horror and romance in the story. One of the things I liked about Kismet was that she never seems to really fight her attraction to Devereux and she doesn’t reject his help under the guise of being an independent woman. She also doesn’t refuse to believe even after being presented with overwhelming evidence of the paranormal. I’m excited to find out how the rest of this series will go and I would highly recommend this book."
“THE VAMPIRE SHRINK is so much fun, so full of humor and romance, that I could not put it down. I was "forced" to read it all in one sitting! Lynda Hilburn has a wonderful talent for writing a great story, and she brought the paranormal world alive for me with THE VAMPIRE SHRINK! . . . THE VAMPIRE SHRINK is every bit as provocative as the cover suggests, and I loved every single minute of it!"
"The Vampire Shrink is the first book in the refreshing Kismet Knight, Vampire Psychologist series. Kismet lives her life blissfully unaware that vampires share her world until she meets Devereux, and now there’s no going back. Ms. Hilburn pens a deliciously sexy and easily believable vampire tale. Vivid characterization, a touch of mystery, and a ton of passion, make this alternate Denver a place that readers will be looking forward to visiting again."
"In a genre full of vampire stories, it’s hard to imagine that there’s a twist on the old theme you haven’t read. So when you come across one, it’s always a delight. THE VAMPIRE SHRINK was such a treat to read. I was ensnared from the get go and didn’t want it to end. It was funny, dark, exciting, everything you would want in a book and more. Lynda Hilburn has taken a well-known concept and made it her very own. The idea of vampires seeking therapy is a new one for me and I enjoyed every page. Kismet Knight is a charming heroine and I love that she doesn’t automatically fall for the uber hot vampire. The open ending leaves room for a much-anticipated sequel and I, for one, am keeping my fingers crossed." "THE VAMPIRE SHRINK is a fresh, intriguing take on modern vampire lore. Kismet is a stubborn, scientific and at times, a really, really funny heroine. Told in the first person, Ms. Hilburn's fast-paced narrative is punctuated by equal parts of passion, danger and suspense. As a hero, Devereux is a truly appealing angelic sort of vampire . . . The love triangle aspects were also quite provocative and the author leaves the door open for a possible sequel. I will definitely be looking out for more from this captivating author!
"Ms. Hilburn has created a world filled with intriguing twists and turns. Watching the skeptical doctor's conversion into a believer is as interesting as the murder mystery. Kismet has a unique voice, both practical and cynical, and retains that quality even after she believes. I encourage those who love vampire stories or a good mystery to discover this gem of a novel.
“Dr. Knight [the heroine] is a pragmatic woman with a fun sense of humor. The author’s frequent uses of pop culture references keep the story light, relatable and highly readable. The idea of a vampire needing therapy to deal with childhood abandonment issues is fresh and unusual and gives the platform for humor in the midst of horror. The heroes in her book, Devereux and Alan, make up a delicious love triangle affording the reader some steamy love scenes requiring a cigarette when they are over. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read . . . The conclusion of the book left us with some intriguing possibilities that I hope the author will continue with. I’ll be sure to read whatever The Vampire Shrink is up to next!”
Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker“This is a terrific jocular E-book chick lit (Zara's first person perspective) vampire thriller that grips the audience early on with Zara's muses and the heat between her and Niven-Jeran and never lets readers go until the final shocking biting twist. Though a short story, readers will want to peruse future supernatural fiction by Lynda Hilburn as this is a superb paranormal short story thriller.”
“Clever, sexy, and witty. This satirical story introduces us to a great character. The story contains a twist that remains true to the character.”
“Brilliantly witty! Zara is no ordinary heroine, she is egotistical and totally self-centered but somehow we can relate to her and be happy that she is willing to share her thoughts with us as she takes us on a saucy, roller-coaster of a romp. Very funny at times, and told in a chatty, 'unsinister' manner, the sex is hot enough to be exciting but Lynda Hilburn never oversteps the mark or makes us feel uncomfortable. Towards the end we find that Zara, too, has a heart, and knows the meaning of true love, but then there is the twist! A very enjoyable and satisfying read.”
“HOT, FUN, AND OH SOOOO DELICIOUS!!! This no apologies glimpse into the life of Zara, the oh so egotistical vampire, is a thrill ride from start to finish. I can't wait for the next diary entry!”
“This is a wonderful tale filled with excitement and intensity, with never a moment I wasn't drawn eagerly along. The train of consciousness writing is fascinating and compelling in that it created a window through which to eaves drop on Zara's thoughts, musings and plans as she plots and "executes" (pun intended) her nightly activities. The skillful invoking of all the senses, especially the aroma of cinnamon rolls, drew me deeply in to the mystique. In places I was giggling and even laughing out loud. The higher consciousness elements lend a fascinating aspect to the story and reveal the psychotherapy interests and training of the author, which I believe sets this story apart from other writings in the vampire genre. This is truly a delightful, fun, funny, horny read and I eagerly await other stories by this obviously talented author, Lynda Hilburn.”
“Zara is a centuries old vampire, with many unique talents and much vanity. Over her lifetime, she has collected many possessions and much wisdom – not all as a result of her own hard work. Deciding to write her memoirs, she begins with a fond memory that is more than it first appears. Lynda Hilburn's Diary Of A Narcissistic Bloodsucker is a fascinating novella that had me hooked from the very first page! Told in the first person by Zara, this tale actively engages the reader in the plot in a way that I have yet to come across in other writings. As a character, Zara is brilliantly developed. She is completely selfish and self-absorbed, and whilst not your typical heroine she is nevertheless bound to strike a chord in you; you will love her pure shamelessness and complete lack of inhibitions or modesty. The plot is well developed and paced excellently, and you know not where Zara will take you next. There are sex scenes and they do get described in detail, but this is not a romance. The entire tale will come as a delightful surprise, and you are bound to read this fabulous tale again and again. I give my congratulations to Ms. Hilburn on concocting this delectable story and shamelessly request further episodes!”
“Zara is a vampire queen. Or at least that is what she tells us in her diary. As she writes in her diary we learn about her mentor/lover, and the musician, Niven, who gets caught up in a deadly game. This was an interesting vampire tale. Told in first person, it is like reading out of Zara's personal diary. This story has it all. It is funny, sad, hot and sweet. I enjoyed this story and the rules of this vampire world. And hearing it from Zara as it unfolded.”
“What a trip! Great writing and wonderful characters. I was impressed. This was a truly inspired piece of vampire fiction, certainly one of the most imaginative pieces I've read in a while. I loved the premises of her vampire world. It's very imaginative. I love it when authors get creative and eschew the traditional mythos. I think the length was perfect – never boring, not too much. In short, Lynda did everything right. The humor is wonderful; the eroticism is likewise superb and perfectly done. Probably my favorite line: "There I was, caught up in the ecstasy of riding a very enthusiastic penis..." Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this short piece and just wish I had more like it to read.”
“Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker is funny, witty and clever, clever, clever. Written in first person, Zara glorifies herself so grandiosely that you can't help but laugh and like her at the same time. The story itself is smart and fast paced; the sex scene is as funny as the rest of the story, which keeps the mood of the story light and believable. The twist at the end is also perfect; any other ending would have been corny and misplaced, considering Zara's character. The story leaves you wishing it were a full-length novel, which the author cleverly does not mention...but does not discount either. Perhaps "The Further Writings of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker" is in the works. One can only hope.”
“All right, I admit I wasn't sure what to think when I picked this one. Wow, was I pleasantly surprised. Zara is a vampire, telling her story in spicy diary form. She's a tough woman . . . er . . . vampire and quite adept at getting what she wants. Confronted with Jeran, the man who created her, while she's enjoying another attractive man, she pulls a prank worthy of her prowess. Zara is a strong character with a definitive voice. I don't know that I'd exactly call this story a romance, but it is steamy and sensual in its own way. It's unique and sassy. I highly recommend this one to those interested in hearing the myths surrounding vampires busted or confirmed. Hear the truth from Zara herself. Lynda Hilburn is now on my “look for” list.”
"Ms. Hilburn has created a character that any reader could be attracted to. Her voice comes across as strong, and I found that Zara was a vampire I could see being a reality. This new twist on the vampire genre was quite entertaining and I look forward to more books from Ms. Hilburn on the subject. Her injection of humor into the paranormal realm is refreshing to this reader. All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a laugh-out-loud read."
“Ms. Hilburn's heroine truly lives up to the title of this short story. Told in first person, chick-lit fashion, Zara explains all about herself and vampires in general . . . The heroine's unapologetic, I-am-what-I-am philosophy . . . was done very well thanks to the author's appealing writing style and the surprise ending was fitting as a result . . . For those who like a sassy story and don't need a happily ever after, it should prove an adequate read.”
Undead in the City, Erotic Paranormal Romance“My heart is still trying to recover after reading Undead in the City. The plot kept me on the edge. Malveaux was one dangerous vampire when angered. I would not want to be on his bad side. It was his interesting sense of justice that kept me reading, that and his uncanny ability to give Tempest multiple orgasms. Tempest was big on keeping the upper hand in life and in bed. Meeting up with Malveaux proved challenging for the musician. Undead in the City surpassed hot and went straight to raging boil. I recommend you read this one at night with your favorite toys on hand. The characters are that sexy. Both Tempest and Malveaux radiate power. It was great to watch their relationship unfold. Two muscle bound gladiators could not have provided as much entertainment as this couple, which made their coming together all the more gratifying. Ms. Aubyn did a fantastic job with Undead in the City. I’m looking forward to reading more novels from the author. The characters she created will stay with me for a long time to come. Congratulations to Ms. Aubyn on a novel well written.”
“Undead in the City starts off at a fast pace and doesn’t slow down until the last page. Malveaux is the sinfully sensual hero that will hold readers captivated. Tempest is the kick butt heroine that believes in going after what she wants and not stopping until she gets it. The plot is packed full of adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. The love scenes are a volcanic eruption of passion that will melt your circuits. Hera St. Aubyn has done an incredible job of creating characters that are unpredictable and a plot that sizzles. I can’t wait to see what St. Aubyn will come up with for her next book.”
“Undead in the City, by Hera St. Aubyn draws you into the world of Malveaux and Tempest and will not let go. These two characters have their own agenda; each one thinking the other is prey. Are they in for a surprise and so is the reader. You cannot help but fall into this story with both feet and your eyes wide open. So if you like a story with not a lot distraction from the main theme, SEX, this is your story. Undead in the City gets right to the point. The sex is hard and the characters are strong. I thoroughly love this story, and never got bored.”
“Tempest Moon is the lead guitarist in a rock band. All she wants to do is play her gigs, have sex with whoever strikes her fancy, and be in total control of her life while she and the band wait to be discovered. That all changes though when her fancy takes her to Malveaux. Malveaux is a 200 year old vampire who is just looking for a place to get out of the cold when he enters the dive that Tempest and her band are playing in. He takes an instant liking to Tempest and decides that she will be his first offspring. When Malveaux’s enemy Quade sends a couple of vampire thugs to do him in, it interrupts his and Tempest’s fun. But these newly undead are not the only ones after him, even his mob boss has it in for him. As he and Tempest attempt to work out their relationship, again and again his enemies attack them. Malveaux does not count on actually caring for Tempest, nor she for him. When Quade comes up with a truly devious plot, will Tempest and Malveaux survive this latest attack? Or will they lose each other forever? Undead in the City follows the Dracula theme, but with its own unique flavor. Ms. St. Aubyn does a fantastic job of following the vampire myth carefully, and then adding her own spin to it. I adored reading about Tempest and her “damn the torpedos” attitude. Malveaux’s confusion about the best way to deal with her is hilarious. The sex is hot enough to fry eggs on the side walk making this an exciting read. The villains are just as entertaining as the good guys, and all personalities are well defined. This is one fun read that no one should miss!”
"Hera St. Aubyn's book drew me, for one I love anything vampire, but also the story line was different then most I have read lately. Hera St. Aubyn won me over as a reader and reviewer. The story was strong, the characters played off of each other quite well. The passion between Tempest and Malveaux was "Pure Fire." I look forward to reading more by this author."
“Don't be fooled by the overemphasis of the story on Malveaux's erection in the first few chapters of the story, Undead In The City soon morphs into a beautifully gory horror story spiced with plenty of naughtiness. Hera St Aubyn is channeling Nancy A Collins rather than any random current "I shag my way through all the werewolves and vampires in the city because I'm a Mary Sue that way" urban fantasy authors out there and the result is unexpectedly good. Tempest is a complete man-eating slut and I so adore her as she gets down to business with Malveaux with style and plenty of sass. Malveaux is pretty fun too as he's a vampire who is bad-ass rather than whiny-ass. He rips people's head off without remorse while becoming only a little bit mushy when it comes to his adoration of Tempest. Undead In The City is too much fun for words . . .”
“Undead in the City is an urban fantasy in makeup, but the lead couple has quite the rough and tumble romance. . . Malveaux has a reputation for his work and can usually keep his concentration on his surrounding and whereabouts. That is until he meets Tempest. Tempest only wants a world with music, rock and roll and sex, not asking a lot in her view. When Tempest has to make a life changing decision (and it isn’t the one you would think), will she chose the peaceful one or the unexpected one with Malveaux and all it entails. I turned the pages with a type of disbelief because if anything could go wrong for Malveaux and Tempest, it did. Undead in the City has lots of hot sex, violence and blood in it, but it all works with the plot. If you like your vampires to be cuddly then this might not be the story for you, but if you like an intriguing story that tells of the darker side of vampire life, than Undead in the City needs to be on you shelf. I am hoping that Malveaux and Tempest will have a future story.”
Vampire of my Dreams, Erotic Paranormal Romance“This book was delicious. One can't help but feel the Alana's pain at the loss of her husband due to tragic circumstances. Winston is every paranormal fan's dream hero. He is dark and brooding with a sentimental and caring side. The attraction between the two is almost immediate, and the way Alana's past in entwined into the story was a delightful twist. Ms. St. Aubyn pens a great vampire tale, and this reviewer would love to read a longer more in depth paranormal by this author.”
“Hera St. Aubyn has a gift at incorporating sizzling sensuality in the most unusual of situations. Vampire of my Dreams has an almost dreamlike quality that lures the reader in before taking a rather unique turn in the plot. Some of the unusual twists in this tale may make sensitive readers a bit uncomfortable but all of the pieces fit together and are appropriate in context. Atmosphere is critical for Vampire of my Dreams to work and the haunting ambiance is well interspersed between the instant chemistry between Alana and Winston. Vampire of my Dreams is an enthralling tale that should please fans of this genre. While Hera St. Aubyn does require the reader to suspend disbelief quite a bit, the overall tone makes this possible and therefore makes Vampire of my Dreams believable. Hera St. Aubyn is certainly an author to keep an eye on as she crafts quite an interesting little story!”
“I just finished Vampire of My Dreams. It was fun and very sexy!! This author's stories actually leave me a little speechless! But my being speechless is positive – a result of not having read anything like her stories before and being rather amused at how much I enjoy them (the vampire and the sex stuff). I realize I don't have anything to compare them with, but I think they are fantastically wonderful!!! I garner great pleasure from her descriptions of just about everything. This very original and clever author delights us with a fun, sexy, well-crafted story about Alana, a well-known author of vampire stories. It turns out, unbeknownst to her, she has a secret from her childhood, but the surprise waits until the aftermath of a tragedy in her adult life to re-enter the scene. The author excels in pulling the reader along with her engaging descriptions, capturing and entertaining all our senses, and ultimately rewarding us with juicy, inspiring sex scenes and an interesting ending.”
“Ms. St. Aubyn has written an erotic story that will heat you up very quickly as the passion between Alana and Winston is electrified. Alana realizes why she has always been fascinated with vampires, with a final twist that will shock you. This book will show you that sometimes dreams do come true, and sometimes this happens with passionate sexual gratification that some of us can only dream of.”
“Hera St. Aubyn has written a hot sexy story, that I found entertaining and fun from page one. Alana was such a well-written character the reader will feel her pain as well as her happiness and her need. And her dark stranger, well, he is just gorgeous and every woman’s fantasy. Anyone who enjoys a good vampire story with a little spice will love this one.”
Trick or Treat, Erotic Paranormal Romance“A black rose and a spooky old mansion… what more could a woman ask for on a first date with a mysterious man? Natasha's excitement at this bold adventure is tempered by a bit of anxiety. And then she sees him. Victor is absolutely gorgeous and he's about to show Natasha a truly spectacular and unforgettable first date together. Trick or Treat is a bit of a misnomer as this hauntingly beautiful tale transcends any holiday theme. The attraction between the couple is instantaneous and sizzling hot. While very short, Trick or Treat manages to convey a very believable level of sensuality between Natasha and Victor. Not much information is given on either character initially, but this adds a layer of mystique and makes the ending's twist so much more fulfilling. Trick or Treat is a cleverly written tale. The storyline does contain very explicit scenes but the attraction just simmering off the pages is undeniably realistic. Hera St. Aubyn is to be commended for crafting such an ingenious tale in so few words. Trick or Treat is the sort of story that, once the reader has completed, he or she will read and reread multiple times to capture each little detail that was woven into the storyline. Kudos to Hera St. Aubyn for the haunting atmosphere and the clever ending of this very spicy tale!”
“Each has their reasons for agreeing to the first date, but can a meeting that begins in a deserted house really lead to anything? Natasha is about to find out when she steps foot into the house and then into the arms of Victor. I have to admit I am impressed that Hera St. Aubyn was able to create this story in a mere eight pages. While not an overly original idea, Ms. St. Aubyn still puts her own unique touch to the story. She conveys a descriptive setting that intensifies the attraction between Natasha and Victor. The foreplay and sensual liaison is nothing short of pure heat. The author's expressive phrasing will pull readers into the story as she captures Natasha's emotional and physical reaction to Victor. As the story comes to a close, readers will be left with a satisfying read.”
“Trick or Treat is a quirky Halloween-oriented tale about a couple's very odd first date. Natasha has received a black rose, her favourite, with a note promising her an unforgettable night! What woman could resist such an invitation? Natasha dresses in Halloween sexy mode for the meeting in an abandoned, deserted, dusty mansion. Once there, she encounters a gorgeous hunk, with platinum hair, a huge erection, and eyes that constantly change colour. Their interaction is immediate and very arousing and fulfilling to both; but it's the twist in the denouement that will incite readers to return to this story again and again! Natasha has secrets of her own, as does her lover, and coming together can make them both whole and eternal. This is an arousing tiny tale with a Halloween theme which also makes for a great read-at-bedtime tale. The sensuality is graphic and very fiery; this is a couple that really makes good music together! I recommend this one both for the sensual nature and for the quirky plot twists.”
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