Review: A slow starter that builds into a good story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 18, 2013
Dr. Anna Greer is an up and coming geneticist working for the renowned pharmaceutical and genetic research lab, Macgregor Biosciences as a researcher. She is also doing secret research on the side trying to find the cure for XP, a disease that makes one allergic to UV light and what ultimately caused her mother's death. Her life seems normal enough if not a little boring until the day that the big man himself; Dr. Garth Macgregor, decides to visit her lab.There is an almost immediate attraction between the two, which scares Anna more than a little, especially since she senses that all is not what it seems with Dr. Macgregor. For his part, Gareth has more than one secret, starting with the fact that he has a little secret research of his own going on and ending with the fact that he is a vampire.Not being able to fight the attraction, Gareth and Anna are pulled to each other and into the fight for lives. They are joined by a few good friends and even an old enemy in the battle against an evil vampire who is out to not only squash Garth's research but end his life as well.Ms. Federici weaves a tale of good versus evil using vampires, witches, sorcerers, werewolves, laughter and tears, lust and love and a fair amount of heat thrown in. Written from Anna's POV, the story is well told and the pacing is just about perfect. Humor is supplied in the form of two slightly eccentric witches and one extremely self-centered sorcerer as well as with the interactions between Anna and Gareth.Anna is an intelligent young woman who has always known she was just a little different (she sees dead people) which the scientist in her doesn't allow her to acknowledge. When Ann meets Gareth she senses there is something different about him but she can't quite put her finger on it. All she does know is he is one fine looking man who makes her heart beat fast and has a way of getting under her skin that no one else has been able to do.Gareth is tall, rich, good looking with just a hint of Scots in his speech and eyes to die for. At first he is interested in Anna's research, after meeting her he is drawn to her because she reminds him of someone in his past, then he just plain out can't stay away from her. A match made in heaven if you ask me.After fighting her instincts about Gareth Anna sets out to do research on the paranormal and lands in a bookstore named Written, owned by two witches Teagan and Harley who will become friends and tutors to Anna. These two women are smart and funny and give us some truly fun moments. While trying to fight the evil nasty villain, vampire Padraigan the four will call on the help of Gareth's friend, sorcerer Noah, who is just the right mixture of hunk and snark. We also get an appearance by an old foe of Gareth's, werewolf Damien who has a surprise or two in store for us.I enjoyed this story, it is well told and the characters are both fun and interesting. I've said before that I like a good story and am willing to forgive little issues if I'm told one and this book is no exception. The beginning was a little slow for me and I found myself thinking, oh no I'm not going to like this, but it didn't take long for the story to grab my attention and when it did I was hooked.There is just about everything lovers of the genre could ask for - heat between Anna and Gareth, a group of loyal friends fighting a bad vampire, fun and excitement and even a twist or two. We have the perfect set up for a follow up story and I can't wait to see what is going to happen next.Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team