Once a medieval Spanish knight, Don Rafael Perez has been a vampire for seven centuries, clinging to his code of honor despite years of torture. He has risen to become the leader of the largest vampire territory in North America, spanning Texas and Oklahoma. But a cruel and seductively cunning rival is challenging his rule – fanning the flames of all-out war.

Adept at sending women into raptures of ecstasy while he feeds, Rafael has many willing lovers. But into his domain comes a woman he must deny himself: Grania O’Malley, a new veterinarian at the world-renowned Texas Hill Country Raptor Center. Rafael soon realizes he shares a bond with Grania he cant explain and doesn’t trust. But neither can he stay away from her.

Grania, convinced that she can find a suitable husband through scientific research, has no explanation for why her body turns to molten fire at the mere sight of Rafael – or why her very existence tempts Rafael into breaking every rule of both his body and his mind just when he needs to be stronger than ever...

After reading a previous book in which Diane Whiteside had collaborated with another author, I was expecting big things for this novel, however I was left sorely disappointed. I know that the author has the imagination and writing style to incorporate fantasy and erotica to make a compelling story, but those talents didn't shine through in this story.

I had the plot figured out from chapter one. There were no surprises from the beginning to the end, which left me dragging my feet to turn the pages to read on. Where's the suspense, the steam? If there was any there, I was unable to find it.

I was also disturbed by the fact that Grania didn't seem overly worried to find a vampire fondling and drinking blood from another woman. I'm sorry, but if I stumbled across a scene like that, I'd be running for the hills, not simply standing there like a dolt and asking questions. It's just not normal and I'm not buying it. She should have been peeing her pants, not taking the situation in stride. So she is a scientific-minded person who was more intrigued with the physical and reproductive aspects of vampires. That's fine, but I feel that the story could have been strengthened with more resistance on Grania's part.

I also found it confusing to keep the different levels of vampires straight. The titles of these ranks were Spanish names and made it hard to keep straight which were full vampires, which were only partial vampires, which could go out in daylight, etc. It was quickly explained in the beginning of the book, but it was presented in a way that after reading over the few pages 5 times, I gave up trying to put it all together and decided to move on, leaving those details in the discombobulated fog that occupies 1/3 of my brain.

To sum it up, it's a mediocre read, with no high points worth mention. If you like vampire stories, I'm afraid you will find this one sorely lacking. For those who are looking more toward the romance or erotica aspect, the same fate awaits you. Read at your own risk.

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Publisher: Berkley Trade (October 3, 2006)
ISBN: 0425207749
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