PASSIONATE THIRST

Author: Cameron Dean ISBN: 0345492536 10/2006 PARANORMAL Publisher: BALLANTINE

JUST ANOTHER NIGHT IN SIN CITY Candace Steele is as tough as she is alluring. For her, killing vampires isn't just a job—it's personal: She's still haunted by erotic memories of an all-consuming affair with Ash, a seductive vampire who thrilled her—and then nearly destroyed her. Now, working undercover in a Las Vegas casino, she seduces the most powerful undead—right before she drives a stake through their unbeating hearts. When hot-ticket singer Temptation McCoy sweeps into town for a major concert, Candace is tapped for security. But after meeting Temptation, Candace feels the cold, tingling sensation that can mean only one thing: There's a vampire in the diva's entourage. To complicate matters, Ash suddenly appears in Sin City, vowing to do anything and everything to draw Candace back into his arms. Overwhelmed by desire and suspicion, she lets down her guard . . . a move that could cost Candace her life.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

PASSIONATE THIRST is so good that I finished it in just a few hours. Don't ask me how I pulled that off, because I have three young kids, but I managed to make it a priority without burning the house down or losing said children.

Anyway, this is one heck of a book. It's nearly perfect in every way—from characters and plot, to crazy and subtle dialogue. Actually, the dialogue and writing are reminiscent of Lori Handeland's style, and is what clinched its place as my first runner up for read of the year. (See J.R. Ward's LOVER ETERNAL for my best pick.) PASSIONATE THIRST is so intense and conflicting with its love affair (not romance, that just doesn't cut it) between the hero, Ash, and heroine, Candace, that I cried, laughed, and cried some more. Their love is frightening and heart wrenching, and I ate up every second of it. Talk about a wild ride!

I am going to start, and no doubt finish in record time, the next book in this trilogy, LUSCIOUS CRAVING. I am so excited that I am adding this author to my requested review book pile along with Ward, Handeland, McKendrick-Pippin, and Thompson, just to name a few, because I consider it to be quite an elite crowd!

Shannon Johnson