Lara Adrian, Kiss of Crimson

Kiss of Crimson

Lara Adrian

Dell, June 2007, $6.99, 36 8 pp.

ISBN 0553589385

A millennium ago eight aliens crash landed on Earth and the only nutrient that could sustain their life was human blood. Some native females were able to mate with them and thus the male only vampire was born. The Breeds don't ever indulge in massive blood taking because it is highly addictive and they can go Rogue, a mindless monster straight out of Bram Stoker. The warrior Order finds and kills the Rogues and while Dante is out looking for them he is injured and ends up at Tess Culver's veterinary practice.

He takes blood from her before seeing the mark that proves she is a Breedmate, able to have vampire children and live eternally as long as she drinks blood from her mate. He erases her memories and tries to forget her but fails to do so. However, the warrior breeds have a new problem to deal with: the drug Crimson. When vampires take the drug, instead of getting high, it turns them into berserkers; Tess is connected to the maker and distributor of it. Dante revisits Tess who has the gift of healing and falls in love with her. When he is fatally injured she miraculously heals him and when she almost dies at the hands of a rogue, he feeds her his blood cementing their bond until she realizes the truth about her beloved; she runs hysterically into danger and away from the man she thought loved her.

For background information and another exciting vampire thriller, the audience should read the prequel KISS OF MIDNIGHT. Lara Adrian is an excellent worldbuilder creating a vampire society living among but hidden from humans. The romance between the two protagonists is not steamy and so as they both discover what it means to live without fear. The thriller part in which breeds turn into terrorists from a drug that is supposed to give them a pleasant high is exciting and entertaining. Lara Adrian is the newest star writing vampire romantic tales.

Harriet Klausner