Review: I had this book in my queue since 9/2013 and finally decided to try it even tho I am pretty fed up with the whole
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 13, 2014
Vampire scenario.  Having read and loved so many of KA's books I should have known that she would have made it uniquely her own. There are very few authors that can craft characters like KA. She has a habit of grabbing me by the throat and not letting go until my brain has totally immersed itself in her reality.Leah, comes from a 500 year legacy of women who have availed themselves of the ability to become concubines to kings and Vampires. I had a bit of trouble with this concept at first but then remembered the very limited roles that women were allowed to play in history. Surprisingly, where the vampires were concerned at least, this did not include sexual intercourse but only feeding.After the vampire Revolution, there was an agreement between the Mortal and Immortal worlds that humans would no longer he hunted like prey and could no longer be killed without consequence.  Both male and female vampires would sign a contract with their either male or female concubines. The contract was standard for usually two years but could be renewed for longer upon mutual agreement.  The concubines were provided with housing, clothes, food and money during the time of their contractual arrangement and if released by their vampire at the end of the contract, they would receive a stipend, for life. The concubines could appeal for release from their vampire to the Vampire Dominion for very specific reasons. However, if the concubines tried to escape during the contract without a release, the vampire had the right to hunt them down and kill them.Lucien, Leah's vampire, is more then 800 years old and a very physically imposing and powerful one. He was a general during the Revolution and a successful one. He is also a Billionaire.  He also has a mate, who is vampire.The plot is driven forward by several interesting concepts. Concubines are chosen at Selection, they cannot be in any kind of relationship and can be any age. Vampires can be mated but cannot have more then one concubine at a time.  The mortal females are invited to the Selection but do not have to sign a contract if they do not wish it.  Not all vampires agree with the current agreement between the Mortals and Immortals. Some want more then just a feeding relationship with their concubines, since the vampire cannot have intercourse, live with or mate with a mortal. Some vampires wantthe agreement voided entirely and the old ways returned, they want to hunt and kill at will.  Another vampire Revolution seems to be on the horizon.Leah is a very strong female character, she does NOT want to be a vampire's concubine but has gone to the Selection to please her mother, even at 40 years of age. She does not have a submissive bone in her body and is determined to fight Lucien at every turn. She must give up her job, her friends, her freedom and her blood.Lucien is an alpha male, just as determined to have her in the way he wants her, even if he has to fight the Dominion to do it.The fireworks have only just begun..........