Lover's Bite-Maggie Shayne

Lover's Bite
Maggie Shayne
Mira, May 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778325185

With a respite from the Gregor hunt and while her teammates are occupied elsewhere, royal vampiress Tanya “Topaz” DuFrane decides the opportunity to learn more about her roots is now. She knows her mom was movie star Mirabella DuFrane, who was murdered in an unsolved case and that four men claim fatherhood. Ironically she thinks none stepped forward when she was an infant with no mother. Topaz plans to bring her brand of justice to the unknown killer.

Vampire Jack Heart insists on assisting Topaz who wants nothing to do with the rogue as he broke her heart and absconded with a half million dollars of her money the last time he helped her. She distrusts him and cannot afford the fee for his services especially in the bedroom, but figures she is safer to keep your known enemy close when you are at war. As they investigate the cold case, she fears déjà vu is happening all over again as he steals her heart and who knows what else from her.

Few writers can combine humor, romance, and the paranormal in action-packed yet character driven thrillers like Maggie Shayne consistently achieves (see her Twilight tales). Her latest winner is a terrific romantic suspense vampire investigative thriller that never slows down from start to finish as Topaz needs to know and act once she knows. She quickly learns she don’t know Jack who is a loving rogue with a deep need to keep her safe while also trying to con a few zillion bucks out of his princess. Fans will enjoy this excellent tale as Topaz fears her LOVER’S BITE comes with a high price that to her chagrin she wants to pay.

Harriet Klausner