Book Description:
"Our sister is marrying a vampire." When the ever practical Caroline Cabot first hears those words from the lips of her fanciful youngest sister, she accuses Portia of having a wild imagination. But when she discovers their sister Vivienne is actually being courted by Adrian Kane, the mysterious viscount rumored to be a vampire, she decides to accept his invitation to a midnight supper and do some sleuthing of her own. To both her delight and her dismay, she soon finds herself falling under Kane's bewitching spell. After all, what's a proper young lady to do when her sister's suitor arouses more than just her suspicions?
I really enjoyed this late Regency paranormal romance! A pleasant surprise, I had no idea what to expect. Still on the search for an historical paranormal that's as good as The Gardella Vampire Chronicles, this one has come the closest so far in my quest.
Set in 1820 London and it's environs, the story centers on three sisters, one of whom is outwardly being wooed by a rumored vampire. Said vampire is doing nothing to dispel the rumors, while at the same time, he's falling for her sister Caroline, who as the eldest and considered on the shelf, has serious doubts about whether or not she wants her sister Vivienne marrying this mysterious Adrian Kane, who is never seen in the daylight. Caroline's common sense wars with the evidence that is gradually stacking up against him. Is he a vampire or not? If not, why has no one seen him outdoors on a sunny day? Why are there no mirrors in his entire house? Why is a London constable suspicious and warning her away from him, and why is he so interested in Vivienne, who looks exactly like his fiancee who mysteriously disappeared and died a violent death six years earlier? Good grief! And to make matters worse, he's devilishly handsome, in a blond, hot blooded, manly sort of way with nary a hint of fanged teeth about him!
Yet, his younger brother is another story. What is he hiding beneath that studied Byronesque pose of his? Is he the real vampire in the family with his deathly pallor and penchant for rare meat?
Adrian is definitely hiding something and Caroline is torn. One side of her wants to find out the truth about him, and the other side just wants him! It doesn't help that he obviously wants her too! How dare he, when he's supposed to be courting her sister! Stolen kisses and his enigmatic answers to her questions aren't helping. The stakes are upped when she finds out her sister Vivienne is being used as bait to catch the real vampire in the story. Will Caroline risk her own life to save her sister, and unwittingly put her other sister, Portia's life in grave danger? Can she forgive Adrian for lying to her and putting Vivienne in such danger?
Lots of questions and dilemmas that made this a really fun read. I loved the vampire slayer aspect to it without it being too heavy handed. It didn't dominate the story which is basically a romance. There were humorous parts that made me laugh, particularly the way Adrian and Caroline sparred with one another, yet somehow she always seemed to wind up in his arms and ultimately - his bed. There was also just enough suspense and mystery to it to make it compelling all the way to the finish with room for a sequel, which I'll definitely be reading!
I highly recommend. An entertaining and worthwhile read!
4/5
