Blurb
Vampires are real. Powerful, organized, and nearly untouchable, they move through society under the governance of the Cardinalis Order—an ancient system built to protect their kind and punish those who defy its laws.
Michael Chamberlain is one of them. A successful entrepreneur with a carefully buried past, he returns to The Hamptons to take over his father’s elite nightclub—and to secure a contracted blood source. Cold, controlled, and emotionally detached, Michael has long accepted the rules of his world. That is, until he meets Paislee Sullivan.
A determined college student working nights to fund her future, Paislee doesn’t know the truth about the Order—or that her presence at the nightclub is more dangerous than she realizes. When her path collides with Michael’s, she’s pulled into the shadows of a world built on power, secrecy, and blood.
As their connection deepens, Paislee must navigate a society where consent is contractual, love is forbidden, and ignorance offers the only safety. But some connections can’t be denied—and breaking the rules could mean losing everything.
The Cardinal Code is a seductive and high-stakes romance set in a world where the elite don’t just run society—they feed on it.
Excerpt
Michael appeared in front of Paislee before she even registered him moving, blocking her path to the hall with a satisfied grin. “You can run, but I’ll always catch you.”
Her heart leaped, though she tried masking it with a scoff. “I’m not running.” She waved her hand flippantly and took a step back, only for her shoulders to meet the wall.
Michael leaned forward, his palms braced on either side of her, caging her in without touching her. “What would you call it?”
She swallowed hard, her gaze darting anywhere but his face. “I’m allowed to walk around my sanctuary, right? You can’t technically stalk me here.”
“You invited me in,” he reminded her, his tone rich with amusement.
She opened her mouth but then closed it. A flicker of shock crossed her face as she scrambled for a clever response. “I…my neck… It’s extremely sensitive. I just need another day to recover—”
He chuckled softly, and his breath brushed across her cheek. “Sensitive, huh? What other parts of you are sensitive, Paislee?”
Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she quickly ducked under his arm, darting out of her sanctuary. “To be clear, I’m not running away,” she declared over her shoulder, though her words rang hollow. “I need some water.”
Michael straightened and turned to follow her with the deliberate pace of a predator. “You’re a terrible liar, Ms. Sullivan.”
Her heart raced as he closed the distance between them; his presence was overwhelming and magnetic. “I-I just think we should talk about—”
He caught her wrist gently and spun her to face him. His eyes gleamed with quiet triumph as he guided her into his bedroom. “We’ll talk,” he promised, his tone both indulgent and commanding. “Later.”
Review by Lisabet Sarai
I’ve read this story before... A beautiful, feisty, innocent young woman attracts the attention of a brooding, charismatic, centuries-old vampire. At first she rejects him, but she can’t fight either the fascination he wields or the sympathy he kindles. For the blood-thirsty hero she should be just a diversion, a tasty source of sustenance, bound to him by a strictly limited contract. Instead, he falls in love with her, to the point of obsession. Meanwhile, enemies within his own clan plot to destroy him by hurting her.
Does the world really need more vampire romance? Apparently. There’s something about the genre that continues to draw readers. Indeed, even though I’ve read more vampire romance than I’d like to admit, I enjoyed many aspects of The Cardinal Code. I am not immune to the lures of power and darkness, nor to the dream of eternal love. Avery Sterling skillfully brings these elements to life.
Paislee is an engaging, multi-sided character. I empathized with her awkwardness and her casual style, while admiring her courage and her desire for independence. The intimate interactions between Paislee and Michael are vivid, intense and sexy. I particularly liked the rather original notion that the Cardinales possess a venom that acts like a drug upon their victims. In most vampire tales, the act of blood-drinking itself is pleasurable; the venom idea makes this more interesting and more plausible.
In some paranormal worlds, vampires are rogue creatures, often isolated or fighting among themselves. Avery Sterling’s Cardinales are far more organized, with a hierarchy stretching back into antiquity, a set of laws that must be obeyed on pain of terrible punishments, and a pretty offensive but probably justified superiority complex. This back story could have been interesting, but the novel didn’t completely follow through. Many of the vampire characters don’t take the revered and terrible Cardinal Code very seriously. Politics and personal vendettas seem to take precedence and the individuals who should be enforcing the code have no scruples about violating it. It seems the Cardinal Code is “more honored in the breach than the observance”, to quote the Bard.
Still, I was willing to accept the view of vamps as a higher order of creature, evolved beyond the level of Homo sapiens. This certainly makes as much sense as any other vampire origin myth.
I should mention that the graphical design of the book was truly lovely. Unfortunately I did notice a few typographic errors. This wasn’t enough to spoil my reading experience. Given the obvious care that was lavished on the production of this novel, though, I was quite surprised at these lapses in editing.
Would I recommend The Cardinal Code to other readers? Up until the last chapter, I would have answered with a qualified yes. I was pretty disappointed by the ending, however. It’s not exactly a cliff hanger, but none of the conflicts is resolved. The last page is a blatant come-on for what is apparently the next book in the series.
I like books that stand on their own. I feel a bit cheated when I realize I’d have to buy another volume to get the resolution I crave.
If you’re a sucker (oh dear!) for a steamy blood-drinking scene, though, you may feel differently.
About the Author
Avery Sterling fell in love with romance novels as a teenager, drawn to the raw emotion and sweeping adventures they offered. She wrote her first novel at sixteen, chasing the thrill of crafting love stories that feel both authentic and unforgettable.
Having spent much of her youth traveling, Avery discovered that love is universal, found in both the grand and quiet moments. Her stories aim to reflect that truth, blending emotional depth with all the steamy romance readers crave.
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Avery Sterling will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
3 comments:
Hello, Avery! Welcome to Beyond Romance.
Amazon won't let me post my review until the book is released, but it is up on Goodreads.
We appreciate you reviewing today.
Thanks so much for your review :)
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