The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo (Love At Stake) by Kerrelyn Sparks

He's Out of Control

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he's ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo.

Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There's even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal's gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored?

*****

This 14th installment in the Love at Stake series has all the things Kerrelyn Sparks fans have come to expect; humor, romance, passion, and a great story of the continued battle between our beloved Vampires and the Malcontents.

I haven’t read all the books in this series, but that didn’t create any problems for me. Things that took place in earlier books – especially in regards to how the other couples met their mates – are peppered throughout the story so that we get a pretty good idea of the whos, whats, whens, wheres, and whys. And honestly, these are light, entertaining reads, perfect for those times when you’re looking to let your mind wander and get lost in a world of great characters and their unlikely circumstances.

I really enjoyed The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo, but it was Dougal who made this story shine. Such an awesome, honorable, fierce, passionate man! And did I mention vulnerable? His insecurities made were so endearing and made me want to bring him home with me and love him til his past heartbreak was forgotten.

My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this story. In return I’m giving them an honest review.

Kiss of Temptation by Sandra Hill

Is it lust?

Ivak Sigurdsson is dead . . . well, sort of. Guilty of the sin of lust, he's been given an unusual penance: spend eternity as a Viking vampire angel, or vangel, fighting Lucipires, Satan's vampire demons on earth. Now sequestered in Angola Prison as a "spiritual advisor," Ivak is finding all these centuries of celibacy depressing, to say the least. But then, along comes southern belle Gabrielle Sonnier. Is she a reward for his good deeds, or a temptation sent to rattle his lustsome brain?

Or is it love?

Gabrielle, a lawyer, begs Ivak to help get her brother out of prison. Aided by the Cajun LeDeux family and their chief looney bird, Tante Lulu, Ivak reluctantly agrees. And while he alternately tries to seduce and save Gabrielle before the Lucipires run rampant, they both begin to wonder if it's really only lust, or something more.

***************

 Kiss of Temptation is the third book in Sandra Hill’s Deadly Angels series, and given that I’m a big fan of Vampires and Fallen Angels, when I saw that this book encompasses both, I was more than a bit excited! But then toss in Demons, Vikings and Archangels, and I'm sold!

This is a fun, steamy, easy to read story, something you can enjoy on a road trip, a day at the beach, or curled up on your living room sofa. Ivak and Gabrielle are quirky, likable people/beings trying to make the world a better place by righting wrongs, and ridding humanity of Lucipires – demon vampires who infect their victims with the need to sin. Once a major sin has been committed, Lucipires, or Lucies for short, kill their victim before they can repent, damning them to hell.

In her Deadly Angels series, Sandra Hill has created a very unique world, one I enjoyed spending time in. The traditions, the people... truly entertaining. But, I have to be honest – at times the humor was more silly than funny, and distracted me from the story. With so much going on, I could have done with less of the ‘ha-ha’ in order to spend more time exploring the incredibly exciting Vangel world.

I'm looking forward to reading more in the Deadly Angel series.

My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

The Unforgiven by Joy Nash

I’m just going to say this right up front – I loved this story! But before I go into all the reason why, I want to give you a little background about me and my obsession with the Nephilim –

For as long as I can remember, since the first time I heard the word Nephilim, I wanted to know more about this race of beings. Were they truly the offspring of “fallen angels” and human women? Were they really cursed for the sins of their fathers? Giants or heroes, wicked or valiant, there are so few biblical references to them that we really don’t know much about them at all, and maybe that’s why I find them so compelling! In Genesis 6 they were called the heroes of old, men of renown, and yet they were also spoken of as some of the beings who were so wicked that God sent the flood to cleanse the Earth of them. The Book of Jubilees and The Book of Enoch have a lot more to say about the Nephilim, also known as Watchers, and their history, including the names of their chiefs, some of which are mentioned in The Unforgiven.

Now on to the important stuff – what you really want to know!

The Unforgiven is one of the best “fallen angel” stories I’ve ever read, and an excellent start to the The Watchers series. It’s exciting, compelling, and action packed with the perfect blend of PNR and Fantasy. Curses, spells, magic and alchemy all play a big part in this story, along with demons, revenge, rivalry and a heavy sense of good vs. evil. I’m very impressed with Ms. Nash’s vision of this race and their history, and I have to say she’s done a fantastic job of sticking close to what few things we actually know about them, and creating an incredible story in which to bring them to life.

“You keep talking about a crisis,” she snapped. “If you think that’s going to scare me, forget it. I’ve got terminal brain cancer, remember? All the fear’s been leached out of me.”

Madeline Durant is about to find out that being diagnosed with terminal cancer is a walk in the park compared to what’s about to happen to her. She is a Watcher dormant, a pre-transitioned Nephilim, and not just any Nephilim. Maddie is a descendant of one of the most powerful and dangerous clans known, and her magic, once she comes into it, could save the Clan Samyaza from the Clan Azazel who wants to see Samyaza totally annihilated.

A car approached, motoring in the opposite direction. Cade stepped on the gas and flew past it. “You’re wrong about that. Believe me, Maddie, there’s going to be plenty of room for fear when you confront your demon nature.”

To help her through her transition, and to gain control of her powers for his Clan, Cade Leucetius, a Watcher adept, is sent to anchor Maddie during her transition, and if anyone can make sure she survives the ordeal, Cade can. It was only a year or so ago that he himself went through it, so he knows firsthand how painful, frightening, and deadly it can be.

I can’t tell you how badly I want to give The Unforgiven 5 stars, and if I were rating the Nephilim storyline alone, I would have. I really loved both Cade and Maddie as individuals. I felt their frustration, their anger, their passion, and felt that there was definitely potential for an amazing relationship, but unfortunately, it never quite reached it. I still enjoyed their page time together and they had incredible sexual chemistry, but it somehow just didn’t develop into a romance that left me breathless or cheering for them. I’m hoping that we’ll see more of Cade and Maddie in the next book so I can be assured of their happily ever after.

Overall, The Unforgiven is a great read. The storyline is well written and executed, and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Despite Maddie and Cade's relationship not being as developed as I would have liked, it was still steamy and emotional. The secondary characters are complex and compelling beings who will have amazing stories of their own and I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this series!

This book was provided to me by netgalley.com in behalf of Dorchester publishing, and my review, in no way, was influenced by this.