“I picked up the book… It had been so enthralling when I’d read it but now… real life was just so much better.”

When Elsie meets Cy, she realizes that all of the vampire novels she’s read and fantasized about her entire life can’t compare to the bliss she feels with a respectful man who makes her feel appreciated and even fits in with her friends. Her lifelong desire for danger and excitement falls by the wayside.

“I had only ever known life as a vampire, so I suppose I couldn’t be expected to understand what made humans tick…”

Opal is one of the youngest yet strongest vampires in the world. A true succubus, she seduces those men whose egos and power make them a danger to women before feasting on their blood. Part of the ruling class of vampires, she rejects any emotional connection to others to avoid seeming or feeling weak.

What Elsie and Opal don’t know is that Amber, a thousand year old vampires with a chip on her shoulder, links them together in ways that will force them to confront their own failings. Amber has a plan that will lead both of them to either greatness…

Or madness…

Oil and Water

About The Book

Lara Ann Dominick is proud to share her debut novel Oil and Water. Critics and fans alike have provided rave reviews, which can be found below.

Oil and Water shines a light on modern social issues through the eyes of both humans and vampires. The characters must navigate the supernatural world of vampires, while dealing with internal and external struggles that readers will find all too relatable.

Praise for Oil and Water

“All of the characters, particularly Elsie, live in a world that’s very much aware of both vampires and vampire romances. Elsie has always acknowledged her penchant for watching TV shows and movies about “heartthrobs without heartbeats.” And the author’s smart, knowing narrative nods in that direction as Elsie’s relationship with Cy blossoms…

Amber is a deliciously angry villain, and the plot swerve involving Cy in the tale’s final act is a genuine winner…

The familiarities of the setup are renovated by the intelligence and vividness of the author’s approach. Her decision to focus so much of the story around Elsie has both weaknesses… and strengths, deriving mainly from the protagonist’s personal struggles with the fundamental change in her existence. As a coming-to-grips-with-vampirism novel, the book’s best analogue is Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire.

A bustling and energetic contemporary vampire tale that’s perfect for fans of the Twilight series.”

-Kirkus Reviews

“In Oil and Water, Lara Ann Dominick presents a female protagonist that is as real as she is fun to follow. Elsie Taylor lives a normal life, but she’s always had fantasies of embracing danger and doing something out of the ordinary. At twenty-eight, she is still engrossed in vampire stories. This ache for danger seems to recede when she meets and falls in love with Cy, but it is not long before she finds herself involved with two powerful vampires, Opal and her maker, Amber. Amber and Opal haven’t communicated for a very long time, but Amber is coming back to her life and she has a plan that will cement a connection between Elsie and Opal, and her plan is fraught with more danger than Elsie has ever fantasized about while reading her vampire stories.

For someone who’s loved vampire stories since the days of Vampire Diaries and Twilight, I found this novel exceptional. I had the same satisfaction I get when I read Christopher Pike. The characters are gorgeous and the idea of danger is written about in an exciting manner. The writing is strong and the author uses it to lure the reader into the psyche of the protagonist, and as they turn from page to page, the surprises just keep piling up. Lara Ann Dominick’s gift for plot comes out strongly in Oil and Water, a title that makes for a great canvas that readers will enjoy. I particularly loved the first-person narrative voice and how the author uses it to get to the depths of the characters. This novel has great prose, wonderful characters, and a fascinating plot.”

“Lara Ann Dominick has a very smart way of writing. She kept having little surprises everywhere, mixed in with very mundane activities. I loved this because it made these moments seem less normal, and added something to look forward to from chapter to chapter.

When we were introduced to Opal, I knew I was instantly going to like her. She has sass, a badass apartment, and just seemed to carry herself with so much elegance. She gave me major Katherine from The Vampire Diaries vibes…

The vampire system I loved in this book. I really hope Lara Ann explores this world a bit more in the next books (I hope there will be more!), as I would love to learn more about the vampire council, etc. If you need a pointer, these vampires are very similar to the ones in the Originals and Vampire Diaries, with their own unique twist.

The half way point of this book really hooks you. There is a switch within the story which didn’t let me put the book down. I was so caught of guard with the plot twist and where the story went after. I really love that it sucked you in (excuse the pun), and kept the momentum going. For the last two hundred pages it felt like I was in a race, keeping up with all the character as the charged through life. It was great.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I did feel there was a bit of setup in places, so I hope this series will continue.”

-Read By Ray

“Oil and Water is an exceptional fantasy and coming of age novel that will thrill as well as shock its readers with action-packed moments and shocking events! The story is one that captivated me from the premise alone because I adore fantasy novels and as I started to read Oil and Water, I found that I was instantly compelled as well as intrigued and I believe all readers will feel this! That is why I already have to recommend that you lovely readers have a read of Oil and Water! However, if you need more convincing book lovers then continue to read to learn more about the wonderful Oil and Water!

The story of Oil and Water captivated me from the first page thanks to the book’s sharp literature and strong opening. The reader an excellent into the action and I adored this approach courtesy of the talented author Lara Ann Dominick. Lara Ann Dominick is a writer who knows how to capture her reader’s attention with her fast-paced approach and dramatic story. As I read Oil and Water, I did so in a frenzy because the literature was incredibly addictive, so much so that the reader will race through the story and find it difficult to put the book down!

Oil and Water has a story that picks up very fast; in other words, there is not a lot of time before the reader is thrust into the thick of the story! I personally love it when I am thrown into a story, I love being shocked, surprised, and amazed, and Oil and Water made me feel all of these emotions.

Lara Ann Dominick is not only a phenomenal writer for her flawless ability to capture his reader’s attention, but she is also a great writer for her descriptive words and characterization of characters which will hook her readers. Lara Ann Dominick is a newly discovered author of mine, and I admit, I am frustrated that I have not discovered her work sooner! Lara Ann Dominick’s flawless literature and mesmerizing literature enthralled me for so many hours. The shock twists and turns she manages to inject into her story is remarkable and will have the reader turning the pages with haste because of it!

As Oil and Water is a sensational, thrilling as well as chilling story that will provoke your thoughts as well as entertain you, I have no choice but to award this stellar read five stars. If you are a reader who loves fantasy and action-adventure novels, then this book is for you so do not miss out on the chance of reading it!”

“A spellbindingly scrumptious paranormal love story, Oil and Water by Lara Ann Dominick is slick, sophisticated and gritty.  A real Vampire masterpiece! Fully captivating from start to finish – I absolutely loved Oil and Water!

Normally, I like to start with the characters but… the plot – wow, I loved it!  The twist wasn’t obvious and when I saw it coming, I sighed with satisfaction.  Ancient vampires move in the shadows, mixing with humans but keeping their identity hidden, well most of the time!  The Vampire Council has set up rules which are broken upon peril of death.  Weaving their way through the council and breaking rules in secret are the deadliest of the ancient ones.  A story as ‘old as time’ that starts in the 1700s, flows through time and erupts in the modern day blurbs of Tampa, Florida.

Elsie, a lovely twenty-eight year old nursery assistant is enjoying her life when she accidentally bumps into a hunk wearing sunglasses at The Watering Hole.  Until this moment, she had been dreaming that her life would be anything but commonplace.  Cyrus – the hunk, is sweetly mysterious and oh so handsome and before you know it, Elsie is falling in love.  Elsie is a strong woman, who has her flaws but also knows right from wrong.  Straight away the reader is rooting for her as she comes face to face with unprecedented events.

Oil and Water by Lara Ann Dominick is a true Vampire-fan’s delight.  All the elements to a great paranormal are here, including Vampire hierarchy and new conversions.  But, there is much more to this story than sucking blood.  The incredible, compelling and astonishing story-line kept me fully engaged. While stellar well-developed characters bring the pages to life and make this a book you simply won’t be able to put down!

Lara Ann Dominick’s writing is smooth and easy-to-read.  Oil and Water by Lara Ann Dominick is hands down the best vampire story I’ve come across since ‘Interview with a Vampire’ and comes highly recommended by Chick Lit Café.”

-Book reviewed by T N Traynor at ChickLit Cafe

“Lara Ann Dominick’s Oil and Water is a great addition to the paranormal romance genre. Danger, betrayal, and excitement are a constant companion in a world where the supernatural live within the shadows under the rule of their council, answering to them for any missteps that could threaten their existence. I enjoyed getting to know Elsie and her friends and understanding their group dynamic. The interactions are smooth, real, and everything you would expect. Humour, tension, heartbreak, and secrets weave their way through the group, threatening to destroy them in the wake of Elsie’s new relationship and her past mistakes. The growth of her character as she emerged from a relationship where they had both settled to one which took her breath away was great to watch.

But this tale is not all romance. There is a dark side to the vampire world which Cy is part of, and his ex-girlfriend Amber has her own schemes. Alongside Opal, the cruel, heartless killer out for power and herself, she is everything Elsie is not, and wants to claim unfathomable power. Written in a shifting first-person perspective from Elsie to Opal, you are given unique insights into the characters’ mindsets and are able to see their complete contrast. The two are like oil and water, and yet in order to save themselves, they must come together and find a balance or risk being destroyed. Gripping, entertaining, and moving, this paranormal romance has more than one surprise in store.”

“Oil and Water by Lara Ann Dominick is a wonderful story that is brilliantly written. The story introduces readers to a smart and sassy character, Elsie Taylor. She is short, athletic, and curvy, a character who, while being well connected to life, feels fascinated by the fantasy world she reads about in books, and her love for vampires is exemplified in the kinds of books she reads. She craves an adventure that will take her from her immediate world as she knows it. Then along comes Cy, the new boy in town, who quickly sweeps her off her feet as she falls head-over-heels for him. But when Opal, the strongest vampire alive, comes into the picture, everything changes. Opal’s maker, Amber, is coming for her after many years, and the plan she puts in place will connect the ruthless Opal with Elsie in unfathomable ways. The stage is set for a life-and-death game, and the consequences will amaze readers.

Oil and Water is not your usual vampire story. I enjoyed the way the author gives depth to the story, creating characters that readers will love. The opening pages got me, and just like the protagonist, I found myself engrossed in the story. The game of power is well-written, as is the role that Opal plays in the self-discovery process of the protagonist. While it has a great appeal to fans of the supernatural, this novel is an equally great story for readers who enjoy adventure. Lara Ann Dominick’s prose is as strong and beautiful as the story she tells and I enjoyed the way her characters are interconnected, and the stakes she weaves for them. It is fast-paced and packed with steamy action.”

 

“Fans of complex new adult paranormal romances will really enjoy the many characters and twisting plots that surround the romances and intrigues within this tale. Author Lara Ann Dominick has crafted a fully-realized tale that goes beyond the basic tropes of the genre, delivering dark surprises and sudden twists of the plot that are both satisfying and unexpected. The character work is stellar and holds the novel together at its core, presenting us with relatable heroines who have their own strengths but are flawed and hard-done-by in the tale so that we can root for them to rise up and own their power. What results is a lavish and graphic dark adventure for a bold readership, and overall I’d certainly recommend Oil and Water to fans of vampire paranormal romance and those who want genuine horror overtones in their fantasy fiction.”

 

About the Author

Lara Ann Dominick spent most of her life enjoying supernatural and paranormal literature and is pleased to showcase her own take on the myths and legends.
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