Review: Just a taste of what this series might yield...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 13, 2010
No summaries or spoilers. HIGH LEVEL: light paranormal romance, vampire centric. Reliably romantic, surprising character development, light humor. Fun, short read. Don't let the first few pages put you off- it actually gets even better.This was a very quick read, and was a fascinating mixed bag for me, but one I enjoyed. I will admit to finding the speed at which the lust blossoms to be off-putting. It felt almost like cheap sex at first, but events that occurred midway into the story provide the necessary distance and depth.The characters ended up being very well developed. As another reviewer mentioned, the opening chapter can give the impression that this will be just another silly vamp romance with no substance. While it certainly isn't DEEP, the characters are well rounded.(As an aside, Ms. Byrne absolutely NAILED a psychologically abusive relationship that gave our heroine some issues to work through. It was so well captured, it gave me shivers.)The mythology is pretty standard vampire stuff- nothing fancy. The paranormal side of this story is relatively low key, but well utilized. The vampirism makes for some highly erotic moments and adds just a little spice to the romance. There isn't a lot of magic or mystery, though.The only other issue I really had with this story is the ending. It just ends. WHAM. Over- lights out, no reading under the covers. It felt a little like someone shut off the TV before that final scene of the show where you get that final sense of closure and all ends are tied off. It is abrupt and doesn't feel quite complete.In the end, I look forward to reading more in this series. This one, especially with that ending, felt like a tease, just a taste of things to come. It will be fun to see not just more characters in this world Ms. Byrne has created, but also how her writing continues to grow. She has a very natural style that lends itself to well developed characters. Hopefully she will give them a little more time and room in her upcoming stories.ADDITIONAL READS: More light vampire centric romance...Marta Acosta'sHappy Hour at Casa DraculaR.G. Alexander'sRegina in the Sun (Children of the Goddess)Erin McCarthy'sHigh Stakes (Vegas Vampires, Book 1)Slightly Darker, a Bit More Adventurous:Lara Adrian'sKiss of Midnight (The Midnight Breed, Book 1)Kresley Cole'sA Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1)Karen Chance- urban fantasy with some romance and lust thrown in-Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, Book 1)Sherrilyn Kenyon's prolificFantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter, Book 1)J.R. Ward'sDark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)