Amanda Ashley, Dead Sexy

Dead Sexy

Amanda Ashley

Zebra, Feb 2007, $6.99

ISBN: 082177834X

Every since the Endangered Vampire Act was passed, it is illegal to kill a vampire; this law caused slayer Regan Delaney to become unemployed. The creatures of the night are confined to areas like You Bet Your Life park that contains condos, shops, and a supernaturally charged force field that keep vampires within. Synthetic blood satiates the hunger, but Joaquin Santiago, former master of the city, can cross the barrier and drink the real thing not this blood lite without killing his prey.

Regan is sent to the park to investigate what looks like a vampire kill, but she has some doubts because the victim's heart, liver and throat were ripped from his body. Joaquin tells her he believes a werewolf is the predator; an enemy who murdered his wife; furthermore they will attack one another until one is eradicated. Regan is caught in their crosshairs (teeth?) and gets bit by Vasile turning her into a werewolf. She can revert back by killing her "mentor", something that Joaquin has tried and failed at for centuries.

Whether she is a mortal or a werewolf, Joaquin bares his heart to Regan, who rejects him initially, but soon notices how kind and gentle he is so she cannot help but return his feelings. Both are strong willed people who understand they must first deal with Vante. Amanda Ashley has written a pulse thumping supernatural thriller that keep readers attention with a burning need to know what happens next.

Harriet Klausner