Paranormal Romance

The Vermin Series Book 2: What You Need to Know

| Ardin Patterson

If you have yet to read book one in the series, I will do my best not to spoil anything with this post, and of course if you’d like to read it, you can find it here:

Thank you to those of you who have been so patient, waiting for the release date announcement. I don’t have that date just yet because things were delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, but I can say that we’ve settled on a title for the second installment of the series and…the test readers all came back with excellent feedback!

Honestly, I’m so excited for this book to release. I’ve been prepping another giveaway, and I’m definitely stoked about it. I’m also planning to do more in-person author events after the release, given that my schedule permits them. I had so much fun doing the one in Waterloo, and getting to chat with booklovers from across the region.

I’ll be revealing the name of the second book once we get the finalized cover art, but I’m really excited.

I’ve got a bunch of other projects on the go here, that I can’t wait to share.

In preparation for book two, and as a treat to those who’ve read the first novel in the series, I’ll be releasing my first full EP on Spotify, which is a collection of songs from the series. The Songs From Vermin EP will release this month on my birthday! I can’t wait to share it. I recorded a lot of these songs between 2019 and 2020. My favourite out of the set is Bicycle Blues, and I think once you hear it, you’ll know why.

Until further updates, and announcements come along I hope that you’ll check out my reviews, and hopefully find a new favourite book to add to your TBR!

One Italian Summer – Review

About When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn’t just Katy’s mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all…

by Ardin Patterson

NaNoWriMo 2022

For those participating, how is NaNoWriMo going so far? We’re now 17 days in, and I’m fairly satisfied with my progress so far. I like…

by Ardin Patterson

Read More about Vermin

Songs from Vermin

As promised, yesterday the EP Songs from Vermin released onto streaming platforms, along with the single Loneliness. I had so much fun recording all of…

by Ardin Patterson

My First Book Signing

I finally did my first book signing this past weekend, and it was so much fun. Releasing a novel during the pandemic was weird. I’m…

by Ardin Patterson

Writing Updates

I’ve been writing the third book in the Vermin series by hand, which has honestly been cathartic. I don’t know why I stopped drafting novels…

by Ardin Patterson

Vampire Dormitory Vol. 1 – REVIEW

| Ardin Patterson

About

Mito has no family to rely on. She lives on the streets, disguised as a boy. Ruka is an otaku vampire interested only in 2D girls. After Ruka saves Mito from a perilous situation, he makes her an offer: “Become my subservient thrall and let me drink your blood whenever I wish! In return, you can live with me—in the boys’ dorm!” But to stay with him, Mito must hide the fact that she’s a girl. Every day is a new danger—to say nothing of that bloodthirsty vampire!

Thoughts

I decided to read this book because of the Boys Over Flowers reference on the back. It was actually really funny, although I’m not sure if it was supposed to be? Either way, it was an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to checking out the other volumes.

I have to admit, with the introduction, I actually expected this book to be a little more serious…although the blurb suggests otherwise. It’s just how Mito is introduced in that first scene, and because I’d never heard of this series before, I didn’t know what to expect. The illustration on the back of the book with the tagline “Blood over flowers” which caught my eye, and the next thing I knew I was reading and then buying the book. I was surprised I had fun reading it when the story began to get a little goofier. I think what made me laugh was how ridiculous the situation was, and how off the bat series like Boys Over Flowers, Ouran High School Host Club and other popular shojo’s were being referenced in one way or another within each chapter.

Despite giving this a high rating, I am a little concerned that I may not like the series in its entirety mainly because so many of the references being made in this first volume. I appreciate them and most were subtle, but having that there for a good chuckle may not be enough to hold readers attention throughout an entire series. I think 4 stars is fair seeing as how I laughed a lot, and I actually like the main character, Mito…plus vampire stories are fun sometimes, and I don’t mind a fluffy vampire comedy every now and again.

I think I was expecting a Vampire Knight story, and instead I got a Vampire who is secretly obsessed with anime, who adopts a human…which is definitely not the vampire story I expected, but regardless I think the series has potential. It was silly and dumb like The Simpson’s. It didn’t take itself seriously, and that’s probably what made it so fun. Sometimes you need stories like that. I hope the future volumes hold up.

Rating

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Check out my other manga reviews and recs!

Vermin Featured by The Literary Coven & The Steam Reader

| Ardin Patterson

Vermin was featured in a post by The Literary Coven on VK, you can check it out here.

Book release dates for August on VK

I like that their list included little ice cream emojis. I thought that was really cute.

Vermin was also featured on The Steam Reader, which is a romance book blog, under their August 2021 Romance releases.

My book has been out for a month and I’m still processing that it’s out in the world. I’ve seen people sharing it on Instagram as well, which is really cool.

I’m excited for the sequel to come out, and am so happy that I’ve been able to share this story with you. Thank you again for your support.

Reviewer Calls Vermin, “Touching and Beautiful.”

| Ardin Patterson

I was so ecstatic to hear that Vermin’s received another great review! I took a screen shot of it with my phone earlier to share on my Instagram story, but I also thought I’d share it here on my blog!

Touching and Beautiful

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Ardin Patterson is a gifted author and storyteller. I say both because being a great author does not always mean that the audience will be focused on every word, or invested in the characters. I don’t think I skipped a single passage, I was so worried about Nicholas, Rose, Diana, Roland, Zanna and Micha.

The author does an excellent job of portraying deep, flawed beings who love and (in some cases) hate in equal measure. These people (like us in real life) are so easily swayed to cruelty as long as they feel justified, but in the same moment, they will show compassion. I am invested in what will happen next. I want the best for Nicholas and Rose. Their blossoming romance is sweet and true, but I don’t trust those villagers.

-Liz

Thank you so much to everyone who has read the novel, and taken the time to read reviews or reach out to me personally. Your words are so encouraging and I’m so glad that you’ve come to love my characters as much as I do.

Thank you so much again! Your words are greatly appreciated, and mean so much to me.

You can order a copy of Vermin from either Indigo or Amazon:

Indigo
Amazon

Chapter 1 Snippet

| Ardin Patterson

I pulled this quote from the first chapter of Vermin. One of my favourite things about this chapter is how it showcases the dynamic between Rose and Roland, which I’ll try to describe here without giving away any major spoilers.

These two interact more like siblings versus an uncle and niece. They have a close relationship to the point where even when they’re rolling their eyes and disagreeing with one another, it’s clear that they enjoy each others company and also respect one another.

Roland as an uncle, versus Roland with his friends is something that I find amusing and enjoy writing. He always seems to be trying to balance being a “responsible adult” and his natural exhausted, yet impulsive self. He’d probably sleep and snack all day if he could get away with it. As I’ve grown with this character, it seems as though Roland has this curated version of himself for when he’s out in public, and even at times struggles to revert back to his natural state while he’s at home. That’s why those scenes where it’s just him and his family spending time together are some of my favourites in this first book, because at a certain point he stops trying to “act” and allows himself to just be.

I think his youngest nephew brings that side of him out the most.

My book has a release date!

| Ardin Patterson

My book has a release date! I’m so excited. There’s a lot to be done still but I’m happy announce that we’re currently looking for reviewers who enjoy YA fiction, urban fantasy, romance and paranormal romance.

Want to receive an ARC of this book?

Check out the post Reviewers Wanted, fill out the form and we will send you a link to the book the day the ARC’s become available or go to the ARC Reviewers website on July 1st, 2021.

Please note the ARCs provided will be ebooks.

Reviewers Wanted!

| Ardin Patterson

Title: Vermin: The Vermin Series Book One

Author: Ardin Patterson

Publisher: Loveknot Books (LKB)

Genre/Subgenre: YA, Paranormal Urban Fantasy, Romance

ARC Format: ebook

Pages: 296

Available at: ARC Reviewers, July 6th 2021

Language: English

Description:

A dying boy

A rebellious girl

History poised to repeat itself

Left for dead at the side of the road in an outlawed town, Nicholas is rescued by a human girl. Plagued by fevered dreams and a lethal illness, Nicholas doesn’t know what to make of her kindness. If she knew what he was, death would be a merciful gift.

Rose takes it upon herself to show the boy hospitality, despite her uncle Roland forbidding her from going near him. She survived the brutal sickness and knows exactly what their guest is going through—he needs a friend.

When Rose’s uncle discovers what Nicholas is, Roland stands to lose everything when he turns Nicholas into a test subject. Dire circumstances force him to coax an old flame into helping domesticate the beast, turning this supposed opportunity into a cruel experiment on himself.

As Rose and Nicholas grow closer, Roland’s decision to keep the boy’s identity a secret threatens to bring history full circle. Can Roland guard two hearts as he struggles to keep his future and the boy alive?

Photo by Adrienne Andersen on Pexels.com
Photo by Anna Urlapova on Pexels.com

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