Caridad Pineiro, Blood Calls

Blood Calls

Caridad Pineiro

Silhouette Nocturne, May 2007, $525, 304 pp.

ISBN 0373617631

In New York City, art gallery owner Diego Rivera is intrigued by artist Ramona Escobar whose paintings are full of life. Diego, an old vampire, is drawn to them and knowing that Ramona needs money for her mother's long term care (she has Alzheimer's), he gives her a show whose proceeds will go towards her mother's treatment. Ramona accepts a commission to paint reproductions of famous paintings.

At an auction she sees those paintings have sold as originals and when she complains, the patron threatens her and her mother. She doesn't know what to do because time is running out for her as she is dying from a virulent form of anemia. Diego, who knows nothing of this, grows more intrigued by Ramona but he tries to hide his feelings because mortals have a short life and when it ends, he knows he will mourn Ramona forever. He does help her with the problem with the paintings but he is not in time to keep danger from claiming her. Star-crossed lovers, they want each other but keep their feelings hidden until their lives change when certain truths are revealed.

The vampire romance novels of Caridad Pineiro's "The Calling" Series are tastefully erotic, very action-oriented and character-driven. In BLOOD CALLS, number six in the series, the protagonists are afraid to love for very different reasons. Ramona, knowing time is short, is determined to live life to the fullest and meet the goal of seeing her mother cared for in a nursing home for the for the rest of her natural life. Readers will like Ramona but adore Diego whose mixed emotions make him a believable character.

Harriet Klausner