Review: Loved This Chance for Secondary Characters to Get Their Story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 21, 2014
I have come to really appreciate the ‘in between’ novellas that pull out a couple of intriguing secondary characters and give them their own story.  In this case, it is the vampire version of a second chance romance and it was cute, passionate, exciting, and leaves even more anticipation than ever for the grand finale in the series.Lily has done her duty all her life even at the cost of following her heart with Caleb Donovan.  She was made a widowed mate shortly into her mating and also a prophet effectively taking away most of her choices.  Now because of the virus that attacks vampire mates, she is free to be with other males and enjoy some excitement before the peace talks commence.  In the meantime, she is having disturbing dreams that call upon her to choose whether she will follow fate’s directive as she always has or follow what her ever instinct tells her and apparently the fate of the world is riding on her choice.Already frustrated because fate picked him to be the newest prophet when he’s a warrior and a fighter, Caleb can’t believe his eyes when he sees sheltered, starched up, ladylike Lily in a bar and she is planning to proposition a male to scratch her itch.  He lost her hundreds of years ago when she chose duty over him unfortunately his feelings for her never went away.  If Lily needs a male then it’s going to be him.This story is a direct follow up from the previous book in the series (yes, that’s a recommendation that they be read in order).  It gets to the point quickly yet not so quickly that it doesn’t develop the characters or the story.Lily is like a woman who has been frozen by time.  There was a part of me that kept asking, ‘Is she for real?’ even while I chuckled over her cute naveté as she wants to run with the big dogs.  She believes in what she does and believes there is a chance for peace out of the peace talks.  She gets frustrated when Caleb and the others bulldoze over her wishes and the fact that she is a rational and thinking person.  That being said, Caleb stirs her up so that she can barely think straight and the hidden woman comes out and challenges him to take her to the heights of passion.Caleb is all alpha male.  He just knows how to be a soldier and sees no glory in getting sidelined into this prophet gig.  He will be both and has no intentions of pretending to impartiality amongst the races or believing the peace talks are nothing more than a trap.  Even while he wants Lily, he is highly amused by her Susie Sunshine approach to life which only heightens her appeal for the big gruff warrior.  Caleb was the best part of this story.In the end, I was mildly taken with Lily and enjoyed Caleb’s larger than life personality.  I was engrossed in finding out what choice Lily would make and then I was taken by surprise by that twist that led into the big ending.Those who love passionate, lethal and possessive alpha type vampire males, creative paranormal worldbuilding and exciting plots should jump on this series.My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.