The Wicked Vampire (Last True Vampire 6) by Kate Baxter

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The Wicked Vampire by Kate Baxter is part 6 of the Last True Vampire series and the first book of this series I have read.  I had no problem following the story line of the main couple.  I could tell, however, a lot of subplots/ background characters present had further plot clarification elsewhere in the series.  This lack of knowledge did cause some minor irritation but could motivate me to start from book one in the series at a later date.

Ewan is a berserker, mortal enemies of the vampire race.  He is attempting to make money in a fighting ring to the death to get free of his ruthless leader.  During a fight, Ewan feels a bond form with Sasha who turns out to be a vampire. The couple must come to terms with their relationship, confront the hatred their races have for each other and decide if they can stay together.

The world building present in this story is quite enjoyable. There are several races of supernatural beings which I appreciate in an urban fantasy/ paranormal romance. It keeps everything from getting stale. I would like to learn more about several of the background characters. I haven't read many stories where a berserker played a prominent role. It was an interesting interpretation of their race.  The mating bond of the vampire was a unique approach I appreciated.

I am partial to forbidden love, and here it was handled well.  There was a great deal of chemistry between them, which made their distrust in each other that much more suspenseful. Ewan could be a little overbearing, but he is a berserker, so it fits. And I tend to enjoy more aggressive males in romance. In the end, everything played out as it should in any HEA novel, but I did like the process of getting there.

All opinions are my own and may not match that of others. I encourage all readers to come to their own conclusions. I voluntarily received an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley.

The Billionaires: The Stepbrothers Lover's Triangle #3 - Calista Fox

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The Billionaires: The Stepbrothers is #3 in the Lover's Triangle series by Calista Fox. I did not feel I was missing any pertinent information beginning with book three. This book would appeal to those who enjoy a modern romance with a ménage à trois focus.

Scarlet is investigating a cold case involving a missing art collection of great value. During her investigation, Scarlet must question the stepbrothers, Michael and Sam. Scarlet is immediately enamored with both men when they meet individually, and soon she learns they have an affinity for enjoying their women together. Scarlet must decide how to handle her growing attraction to the stepbrothers while staying impartial during her investigation.

The good: Michael and Sam are both appealing for different reasons. Michael is spontaneous and a little aggressive, Sam is sweet and a bit tender. The characters had intelligence, indicating they did not exist solely for sake of the cliché. The chemistry between the couples did not feel forced and was quite sexy. There was a decent plot with a twist I did not predict right away. I appreciate the attempt to tell a story amidst the romantic fantasy.

The bad: The story fell a bit flat for me. It mimicked what I get out of watching a crime of the week television show. I felt the emotions where appropriate, intrigue with the art heist, desire for the men, sympathy for the loss the characters experienced, tension when new clues come to light, but now that it's over the story will fade and be forgotten. Perhaps I needed more quality time with the characters as a unit to feel more connected to them. Leaving the story as is, that connection just isn't there.

Despite its faults, this story was not bad. It was engaging and entertaining. If one is looking for a quick and easy read with some sensuality, this book will deliver that. All my opinions are my own and may not match that of others. I urge all readers to come to their own conclusions. I voluntarily received an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley.