IN THE BLOOD

Author: Savannah Russe ISBN: 045122261X 11/2007 PARANORMAL Publisher: NAL/Signet Eclipse

If you passed Daphne Urban on the streets of New York, you'd see a sleek young brunette dressed to kill. You'd never know she was a vampire. But the government knows. Their ultimatum: Spy for the United States, or be terminated. And after all these centuries, Daphne is not ready to call it quits.... One is on the run. Another is dead. Now Team Darkwing is down to its original three: Daphne, Benny, and Cormac. Their latest assignment: Rescue the kidnapped daughters of New York's elite. The terrorist captors demand diamonds—and access to a military secret vital to American safety. To round out the team, the threesome goes on the prowl for new blood in the dark, secret vampire underworld, where pleasure is the sole pursuit and no indulgence is denied. It is a realm of wild passions that Daphne, hoping for true love with her sexy human boyfriend, has shunned. But temptation is leading her into a risque liaison he may never forgive. If she wants to save the abducted girls, she can't get distracted because time is running out....

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

IN THE BLOOD is the fourth book in The Darkwing Chronicles series by Savannah Russe. Team Darkwing is a group of vampires who work for the government, a secret organization that the president is not even aware of. The group is down to three members after losing several in the last novel.

Daphne, a vampire who is over 400 years old, is exploring a relationship with a mortal secret service agent. Daphne's boss is her mother, Mar-Mar, who does not hesitate to interfere in Daphne's life. Daphne and her teammates are facing a dangerous assignment this time, rescuing the kidnapped daughter of New York's most elite families. While tracking the terrorists responsible for the abduction, Daphne is beginning to fall for her human lover, but is battling with biting him, which becomes dangerous for both of them. Daphne has a full hand in this novel and must make some difficult choices. She is proof that even a vampire has human difficulties.

I have read all of the novels in this series, and I must say each book is fabulous. I think that a reader would have to start with the first book for the story to make sense, otherwise, you have no foundation for the plot or an understanding of Daphne. Russe has a great talent for paranormal romance. She delivers above average work and may just give other paranormal authors a run for their money. This series is refreshing and a great change from the normal "dark" romance where the man dominates. Russe chooses a strong feminine character who battles with her dark side, but has a strong sense of humanity. I anxiously await Russe's work on this series. I promise, if you enjoy paranormal romance, you will love IN THE BLOOD.

Kym Oetting