336p.
Publisher: Bantam
Available Now
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer for review
Ex-soldier Barrett Miles had no idea that vampires were real—until Belladonna recruits her to serve as a covert agent and infiltrate a murderous sex ring run by the most depraved of immortals, those who feed on the purity and blood of innocents. Their latest victim: a young girl whom Barrett promised to protect. She will be sold—unless Barrett can find her first. Forced to team up with her former lover, Nick Maltese, an undercover sniper, Barrett is caught between fulfilling her personal mission and shielding her heart from the man who betrayed her.
Nick’s hunting a new breed of vampires and harboring a terrible secret when Barrett finds him. Soon a seething underworld of strange desires threatens to engulf them all. Can he save the girl and reclaim Barrett’s heart? Nick knows he has only one chance to prove himself to her as the hunt begins—and their love forces them to embrace the darkest places in their souls.My thoughts:
I did read the first book, but since each book features a couple, it can be read as a standalone. While I did get introduced to Barrett in the first book, it was only a slight introduction so the information I gathered from the first book wasn't major. And while I had some problems with the worldbuilding in the first book (what is the Belladonna agency... exactly?) I didn't get answers here either. I still feel that the books are slowly building to those answers as we keep meeting couples in this world. I am confident that the agency's secrets will be revealed in time.
I did enjoy the characters in this book. Barrett is all determined to rescuing a friend's daughter from a sex/blood ring for vampires. I also liked Nick and even though he was taciturn at the wrong moments, still managed to correct the oversight and tell Barrett how he felt. She took more time in that area, however. It was nice seeing the female as the one who had commitment issues. LOL I also ended up liking Jane, the victim whom they were trying to rescue. I'd like to see her in later installments kicking some arse because of her experience here. I think she has the personality for it.
While I did enjoy how these characters were put together, I did find a bit of a problem with the bad guy. He had such potential in becoming part of a story arc where he is a thorn in their side. However, in the end he just seemed too easy to defeat. I also felt that the main story could have been tightened up a bit and perhaps which would then leave more room for secondary character development... or at least tell us more about the various FBI agencies who seem to be involved. If that is to remain mysterious then I would like to know more about born vampires. I just need more worldbuilding!
I give this book 3 stars. I recommend it to those that enjoy a PNR with a bit of action. Be prepared to be at a bit of a loss with the worldbuilding. ;)
Ah it's difficult when we're lost like that. I heard a lot about the author but I haven't read any of her books, I should try.
ReplyDeleteI have on of her other books I still need to crack open. I wasn't too lost, but wanted to know! :)
DeleteI need worldbuilding :/
ReplyDeleteMe too. :)
DeleteYeah, taciturn at the wrong moments can really mess things up. But, day-am. Look at the abs on that taciturn dude! I'd forgive a lot...
ReplyDelete...and he was more connected to his emotions than she was! :D Yes, I did look at those abs... once or twice... ;)
DeleteI've got the first one I just realized. I've not tried her before but looking forward to it. I read a series that's like that. It doesn't really give you all the answers about the group and you just have to piece it together it seems little by little. Can drive a girl that likes answers and is impatient a little batty. lol
ReplyDeleteI do hope you enjoy it. It did drive me a bit batty, but it didn't have too far to go... :D
DeleteYou actually managed to find (and score) a half-decent book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program. Nice! I haven't requested anything in months... Anyway, I've been reading a bit too much PNR lately, so I think I'm going to have to pass on this one.
ReplyDeleteI've had more than one. I think I've been pretty lucky.
DeleteGlad to hear it was likable even if the bad guy wasn't all you wanted.
ReplyDeleteI just think it was because there was SO much build up and then... eh. :)
DeleteBad guys rarely seem like a true threat to me. I wish someone would write a really good one!
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
Oh Elemental Assassin books had a pretty good meanie or two! :)
DeleteActually I think you would like these more than I do. I tend to lean toward UF and you lean more toward PNR than I do.. :)
ReplyDeleteThe chick on the cover looks like she's trying to see the reader watching them in their indecent state. lol. This sounds interesting, but not really what I'm into at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you mostly enjoyed this one anyway! I don't know that it would be for me though.
ReplyDeleteBummer I love when the villain is made a part of the arc and is a torn in their side. Sometimes the buildup is so big and than poof bad guy destroyed and well it's like bad sex..ya know? LOL
ReplyDeleteHm. Not sure about this one Melissa! I think all the unanswered questions surrounding something major like the Belladonna agency would be problematic for me, but I do like the sound of this couple. I'll be interested to see if you finally get answers in later books if you try them!
ReplyDeleteI love series that can be read separately, but I so rarely actually do it. I like things done in order. :) This on sounds good, but I hate that the villain was a letdown. SO much depends on a good villain, and one that's easy to defeat certainly isn't good enough.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Hmm it sucks that you were left wanting more in the worldbuilding and villain departments, but the characters sound interesting. I do always like when it's the woman with commitment issues :-) I'll probably check these out eventually, they sound good.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. New series to me. Sounds good too. I'll have to take a look at all the books. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love couples book or rather the guys finding their soulmates.
ReplyDelete