Review--Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason

Amid the glitzy age of Jazz, when gangsters and bootleggers control the cities, there lies another, more insidious threat....The Undead. 

Macey Gardella is a typical young woman of the Roaring Twenties: she works a job, has her own flat, and loves to dance the Charleston. But when a mysterious man named Sebastian Vioget informs her she belongs to a family of vampire hunters, Macey is stunned and disbelieving. 

Yet, strange and frightening things begin to happen, and when Macey comes face-to-face with one of the fanged creatures, she has no choice but to believe Sebastian. And when she learns his own soul depends on her willingness to carry forth the family legacy and hunt the undead, Macey capitulates and joins the fight. 

As she begins to learn about her new life, Macey meets the handsome newspaper reporter known as Grady--who seems to know more about vampires than he should. When he begins to ask too many questions, she has to juggle her strong attraction to him with the need for secrecy. 

Slipping into speakeasies and sampling bootlegged whiskeys, dodging gangster gunfire and trying to keep her nosy landlady from finding the stakes in her flat, Macey Gardella must navigate through a world of stunning violence, passionate romance, and dark betrayal...

When I heard Colleen Gleason was going to continue with the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, but in a new era, I was ecstatic! And to have Sebastian join back in I was even more delighted! Roaring Midnight was definitely more than I expected! It was pure awesomeness! And definite props have to be given to Macey, for she has a harder time than Victoria did of having to hide a stake! Macey wears the revealing flappers dresses while Victoria had the over the top dresses with lots of layers and all that, so kudos to you Macey!

Macey doesn't realize that she is the descendant of Victoria Gardella, the Ill Gardella from many centuries past, but when strange things start to happen and she kills her first vampire...she is starting to wonder what her life is about to become. She was already reading a book about the ill fated Venators and to learn that she is to become one herself is a little hard to accept. Joining her in her journey is Sebastian, of course, and a surprise appearance and role, Chas Woodmore. I did read The Vampire Narcise so many, many books and years ago, but I can't quite remember what happened to him that led him to here. But oh well!

Macey has a similar tale like Victoria did, but I feel like Victoria was better prepared for her role as a Venator. Macey is completely in the dark, until she is accosted by Chas and friends. She soon accepts her plight and begins her training of becoming a Venator and basically saving the world! Of at least Chicago. Which is currently terrorized by two other bigwig vampires and ol' Al Capone himself! Yes, big Al is in this book and boy does he have one critical role in the story!

Then there's the character Grady. Grady is definitely one delectably intriguing man! He's a reporter and yet he seems to know quite a bit about the darker side of Chicago and has gotten under Macey's skin. But the life of a Venator is dangerous and to all who know her, it's best that Macey doesn't have close relationships at all, but she learns that lesson a bit too late and finds herself falling for Grady. Me as well! Grady isn't quite like our beloved Max from Victoria's tale, but he pretty swoon worthy. The way he comes through for Macey a lot is definitely a plus on his side. He's not as snarky and snide as Max was, but he's definitely got a touch of something himself. The romance factor to this story was beautifully woven into the story and I much enjoyed its part, which has becoming a growing thing for me over my reading years! It's just enough to add to the story but doesn't take it over completely! Which is the way I like my romance in books!

I can't quite tell if Colleen is going to pull another love triangle on us like she did with Victoria. Grady is obviously a contender for Macey's heart, but I can't tell if there's meant to be another. Chas has quite the attitude problem going on and I know his role in The Vampire Narcise probably has a part in it...really wish I could remember that one...but he is there throughout helping Macey. He's got the attitude and snark that Grady doesn't. He can be a bit of a jerk, so it makes me wonder if something might be happening between them that has yet to show itself.

Sebastian wasn't quite in this as much as I thought he would be. He believes Macey is the one who will be able to help him fulfill his destiny, one that started at the end of Victoria's series. He wishes to save his beloved Giula's soul and his own as well, since he's a vampire and has not partaken in human blood for a hundred years or so now. I initially thought he might be a contender for Macey's heart as well, but I am having my doubts on that. I can't quite tell what role he might play in this series just yet, other than a mentor.

Roaring Midnight was deeply entertaining! I recommend this series to all Gardella Vampire Chronicle fans, you will not be disappointed! As to those who haven't read the first series, it's not necessary to read that one and enjoy this one. It merely gives you a bit of previous knowledge to Sebastian and his cause. And I haven't read that series in years, as well as The Vampire Narcise, and still I totally enjoyed this one! I cannot even wait to read the next in this series because it does have quite the ending. Not quite cliffhanger material, but still leaves you wanting more!! 


Overall Rating 5/5 stars