Review: Nice vampire romance with an interesting medical focus
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 2, 2011
The Merzetti EffectAuthor: Norah WilsonGenre: Paranormal RomanceSummary:Recently fired nurse Ainsley Crawford soon finds unemployment is the least of her problems when she's attacked by a monster she thought only legendary--a vampire. After being rescued and given a new research job by Dr. Delano Bowen, who also happens to be a vampire, she's both drawn into a risky medical quest to cure the world of vampirism and drawn with a fiery passion to Delano.ReviewVampirism has been interpreted many ways throughout the history of fiction: walking corpses, aliens, mutants, and even the occasional fallen angel. Unlike the vampires of The Merzetti Effect, no one would assume that Dracula could be "cured" of his conditions with a little applied molecular biology. This medical emphasis, though not unique in the history of vampire fiction, did provide a still interesting basis for the plot, which, in turn, helped generate dramatic interest absent some of the other more standard vampire danger elements one tends to see in vampire paranormal romance. In fact, I was surprised at the level of clinical detail and how several of these elements played important roles in the plot. It was a nice touch that helped make the vampirism a bit more interesting than usual.In addition to the medical elements, there's plenty of more direct supernatural danger and action that provide more than a little physical excitement throughout the story. Overall, the plot proceeded with good tension and never dragged. That being said, while there were a few surprises, the overall plot is pretty straight-forward.While nice action and medical drama are entertaining, the promise of vampire paranormal romance typically promises passion and emotion. Delano and Ainsley's attraction feels very real and comes across well. Those aspects of the story are also well-integrated with the other plot aspects, resulting in an overall improvement to the dramatic impact of all the plots elements.Character development was solid, and Ainsley, in particular, is a likable heroine that has a nice touch of fire but still someone who reacts realistically to the dangerous new supernatural world she's sucked into. The distant and somewhat brooding Delano is a little less interesting, but the tension between his passion and somewhat unusual reasons for trying to restrain himself do make for good scenes. There aren't a huge number of secondary characters, but those that appear are distinct, interesting individuals. I wasn't overwhelmed with he depth of the antagonist, though.While The Merzetti Effect doesn't redefine vampire paranormal romance, it executes its component elements well, and any fan of vampire paranormal romance should find it an enjoyable read.4 starsNote: A Free Review copy was provided by the author.