Erin McCarthy, High Stakes

High Stakes

Erin McCarthy

Berkley, Aug 2006, $13.00

ISBN: 0425210138

Las Vegas casino owner Ethan Carrick is running for reelection as the President of the Vampire Nation, but his chances don't look good. His campaign manger suggests he needs to show family values to the voters because the casino and being a sexy bachelor does not provide the proper image; he needs a mate at least through the election.

For over nine centuries, Ethan has had a thing about clean teeth and his dentist is sweet (not just her blood), pretty and intelligent so he decides that Dr. Brittany Baldizzi is perfect. However, to his chagrin he finds he is attracted to her thorny abrasive sibling Alexis the prosecutor who happened to not only save his life (make that save his undead), but seems willing for a one night coffin though she has doubts beyond that tryst.

This amusing often biting vampire romance stars a likable hero and an aggressive in your face heroine. Sub-genre fans will relish the humorous story line as Ethan decides sour supersedes sweet as he enjoys the sassy retorts of Alexis. The reelection campaign takes a real bite at American politics with its get reelected at all cost philosophy. HIGH STAKES is a fun lighthearted supernatural romantic romp worth reading.

Harriet Klausner