Helpful Score: 5
What are vampires? According to Drake's fun, fanciful read, they're just another group of emotionally challenged creatures in need of a good 12-step program. In the third volume of her vampire series, Drake (Seize the Dawn) introduces Ragnor Wulfson, a 1,000-year-old vampire, formerly a Viking, who is now an antiques dealer and a vampire enforcer. When Ragnor learns that his former lover Nari, the Contessa della Trieste and a naughty vampire, is throwing a masquerade ball during Venice's Carnevale festival, he travels to the city to find out what fiendish diversions she's planned. At the party, Nari and her minions feast upon the guests, but only Jordan Riley, a well-known book critic from the States, witnesses the carnage. Despite Nari's assurances that the macabre scene was part of the evening's dramatics, Jordan is convinced that what she saw was real, but the only person who believes her is Ragnor, a mysterious hulk of a man who believes she's in danger. While the two hunt down the ancient evil that appears to be stalking Jordan, they explore their mutual passion for each other. Drake's descriptions of Venice are lush, and her colorful cast of characters will engage
Helpful Score: 4
Scary, adventurous book with detailed setting in Venice. Jordan Riley, the story's heroine, is on a trip with her cousin and his wife in Venice. Through her cousin, Jordan gets invited to a prestigious ball, given by a countess who is also a vampire. While there, Jordan witnesses mass murder by vampiric beings. She is rescued out of there by a wolf who puts her on a gondolier. No one believes Jordan's witness of murder, including the police. A wolf shows up every night on her balcony. Her cousin's personality goes through changes. She meets Ragnor, a man who she doesn't know whether to trust or not. Meanwhile, people start disappearing in Venice and one headless murder victim is found in the canal. Jordan contacts a writer/cop about a book he wrote when he was investigating vampiric killings. She goes to meet him in New Orleans and when she arrives at this house who does she see but Ragnor. Much becomes clear to Jordan during her stay there but despite the evidence with her eyes, she still goes into periods of denial. Though Jordan is a likeable character, her bouts of denial and rationalizations gets annoying. It is only with the culmination of events that Jordan is able to finally face wholly the horrible truth. Good read; interesting characters; recommend!
Helpful Score: 2
This is another wonderful Shannon Drake vampire book! Absolutely love this vampire series, so far! :) She really blends the characters from book to book so that new characters are introduced to already existing characters! Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
Helpful Score: 1
the hour when dreams turn into nightmares---and pleasures beckon from beyobd---deep midnight
Helpful Score: 1
First I have read of this author. Enjoyed it and I don't usually like vampires!
