Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands

Title: Bite Me If You Can
Author: Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-077412-7
Pages: 356
Series: Argeneau/Rogue Hunter #6
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Leigh Gerard is walking home from work in the early hours when she is suddenly attacked by a vampire. Turns out it was a rogue vampire marked for termination but that doesn't help Leigh because she's already becoming a vampire. Lucian Argeneau is over two thousand years old and the only pleasure remaining in his life is hunting down rogues, but when he ends up forced to care for Leigh through her transition and welcome her into her new life he finds himself torn between the hunt and his heart.

This is the sixth book in the awesome Argeneau/Rogue Hunter series (after A Quick Bite, Love Bites, Single White Vampire, Tall, Dark and Hungry and A Bite to Remember) and features the grumpy Uncle Lucian. He's always been very brusque and bad-tempered in the previous books, but occasionally he has shown glimmers of being a nice guy underneath it all so it was interesting to find out more about him.

The plot is as densely plotted as usual with a good mix of tension and humour that kept me glued to the page. Whenever I pick up a Lynsay Sands book I know I'm in for a fun action-packed read and this is no exception. This follows in the slightly darker tone of the previous book and shows the reader for the first time what it's like to hunt rogue vampires. Lucian and Leigh's romance is also distinct from the previous ones, building on each of their lives.

Rogue vampires have been mentioned a few times, particularly in the most recent installments but there hasn't been a huge focus on why vampires go rogue or what happens after they do. This book changes that. It manages to show the reasons why some vampires go rogue while others don't and it gives insight into how and why they are hunted. Having someone like Lucian who has been hunting rogues for a long time to guide the reader through means info-dumping doesn't occur at all.

Lucian is the oldest character featured so far and at over two thousand years he definitely shows his age at times. He also hasn't eaten in decades so it is hilarious to see him trying various types of food. It's great to see why he's been such a jerk in the past (a certain scene with Greg in A Quick Bite comes to mind) and get to understand him better. Leigh is a brilliant match for Lucian. She's mature enough to be confident her relationship with Lucian, but young enough to make him realise that life can be really fun. Leigh very much has her own life that she's worked hard to build so becoming a vampire is a massive adjustment for her as it means losing a lot.

All in all, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to The Accidental Vampire.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 49/50

A Bite to Remember by Lynsay Sands

Title: A Bite to Remember
Author: Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-077407-3
Pages: 362
Series: Argeneau/Rogue Hunter #5
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Vincent Argeneau is in trouble. His production company has been struggling with plays closing down due to freak accidents, random bad luck and at the latest - contagious anaemia. Before people start pointing the finger at his fanged self he asks his family for help and gets PI Jackie Morrisey on his doorstep. Jackie is determined to track down the culprit but she is uncomfortable near Vincent having sworn off vampires years ago. This culprit will need her full attention though as the attacks are about to become much more personal...and deadly.

This is the fifth book in the outstanding Argeneau/Rogue Hunter series (after A Quick Bite, Love Bites, Single White Vampire and Tall, Dark and Hungry) and is a little darker than those before it. The added darkness is a welcome change as it keeps the series fresh, and it also works better with the characters than a lighter tone would have. That said there are still some laugh out loud moments here.

The storyline is cleverly written with a gradual build of tension throughout as the events escalate. There are twists and turns galore as the storyline progresses and I found it hard to predict what would happen next, let alone try and figure out who was behind the attacks. It was also interesting to see more about what happens behind the scenes when people put plays on and it adds another dimension to the storyline.

Vincent was featured in the previous book and I found him fascinating then so it was great to see this book continuing his story on by picking up the plot threads from his introduction. He has worked incredibly hard to build his company so to have someone sabotage is deeply upsetting to him. Add that to the fact he feels isolated from other vampires as he is incapable of drinking from blood bags and you have a character who I rooted for from page one.

Jackie is very determined and headstrong but still carries scars from an abusive relationship with a vampire when she was still a teenager. This makes her biased against Vincent so it is hilarious to watch them fight their feelings for one another. Naturally Marguerite finds a reason to visit L.A. and "help" Vincent out with his romance. On the whole the romance is sweet and well written, but a little less head over heels than in previous installments which is a refreshing change.

Jackie's partner Tiny is a total scene stealer. He helps with the case and cooks up a storm, leading to some delicious descriptions of the various types of food he creates to tempt Vincent with. He is sweet and supportive and almost like a big brother to Jackie so their dynamic is fun to read.

All in all, this was a great read and I'm really looking forward to Bite Me If You Can.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 100
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 49/50

Tall, Dark & Hungry by Lynsay Sands

Title: Tall, Dark & Hungry
Author: Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Love Spell
ISBN: 0-505-52583-6
Pages: 372
Series: Argeneau/Rogue Hunter #4
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


After another of his mother's matchmaking attempts, Bastien Argeneau has relocated to New York in hopes of escaping to a more peaceful life. But with his brother Lucern getting married in the city, Bastien soon finds himself roped into helping by letting bride-to-be Kate's cousin Terri stay in his Manhattan penthouse. Terri and Bastien click straight away but with a wounded groomsman, Broadway actor vampire and all manner of wedding crises to deal with it looks like love will have to wait.

This is the fourth in the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter series (after A Quick Bite, Love Bites and Single White Vampire) and focuses on Bastien who has always been presented as the level-headed business oriented Argeneau. Moving the story to New York was a great choice and allowed for some beautiful descriptions of the city.

This is the third book in the series to feature a previous couple's wedding but this time the preparation is featured when Kate and Lucern unexpectedly have to travel and leave Bastien and Terri in charge. This adds a chaotic element to the storyline which is well paced and cleverly plotted, and some of the wedding issues are incredibly funny in how they are written.

Bastien has always managed to maintain an air of professionalism in the previous books, stepping in to help out his siblings when their romantic circumstances required it. As such it's hilarious to watch him make even bigger mistakes than they did. Terri is sweet and generous but older than her years with a tragic past that leaves the reader rooting for her to move past her fears. Their romance is hampered by each of their pasts, so it is interesting to see how they each deal with it.

Chris Keyes, Kate's friend and fellow editor is back and ends up as the butt of several jokes as he lives through what could possibly be the worst week of his life. Problem after problem besets him in a variety of amusing ways. My favourite character though is Vincent who is introduced to the series in an outstanding fashion and quickly fills the supportive/flirty/funny role that Thomas occupied in the first two installments. Vincent's book is up next so it's great to get to know him as a character, especially as Bastien is the last of Marguerite's children so she'll have to move her motherly matchmaking elsewhere.

All in all this was another great read and I'm looking forward to A Bite to Remember.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 47/50

Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Title: Single White Vampire
Author: Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Love Spell
ISBN: 0-505-52552-6
Pages: 369
Series: Argeneau/Rogue Hunter #3
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Lucern Argeneau has moved from history texts to romance novels and as Luke Amirault has written a successful series about vampires. So successful in fact that his new editor Kate Leever's job depends on getting the reclusive writer to do some publicity work. So when force-of-nature Kate meets immovable-object Lucern, something has to give and with Lucern's vampire nature and all too real inspirations walking about, it has to give quickly.

This is the third book in the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter series (after A Quick Bite and Love Bites) although it was the first to be published as the first four were released in a mixed up order. This is the only book where the confusion shows and it is a little annoying, especially as mistakes (whether Lucern eats normally and Kate's home state) are made in terms of the series that mean this book doesn't sit right when the series is viewed as a whole.

The story is a lot of fun and well-paced with some laugh out loud moments (especially those relating to Etienne's coffin). I loved reading Kate and Lucern's letters at the start of the book, and Lucern's gruff nature definitely stands out from the other Argeneau siblings. That said I wasn't as swept away by this installment, possibly because there are two distinct locations that the characters move between and the gaps in the story between the two are a little jarring.

I really enjoyed the view into the publishing world, fictional though it is. Seeing how Lucern as an author interacted with his editor, and how hard Kate and her fellow editor Chris worked for all their authors made me realise how much effort goes into creating the books I read. I also now would love to attend Romantic Times although it sounds like such a blast here that it may be a little disappointing in real life.

I liked Lucern from the very beginning. He's rude and curmudgeonly and hilarious to read about, and his gruff nature fits with someone of over 600 years old. Kate manages to be determined without being overly pushy, pressing Lucern's buttons and generally throwing his life into chaos. The other Argeneaus make a welcome return with Greg and Rachel's wedding happening in the background and Marguerite happily interfering in Lucern and Kate's lives.

All in all, this was a fun read and I'm looking forwards to Tall, Dark and Hungry.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 46/50

Love Bites by Lynsay Sands

Title: Love Bites
Author: Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52553-6
Pages: 373
Series: Argeneau/Rogue Hunter #2
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Etienne Argeneau has a problem. Pudge, a fan of his game Blood Lust, has become obsessed, realised Etienne is a vampire and keeps trying to kill him. After being run down and shot, Etienne is blown up and ends up in the morgue being examined by reluctant nightshift ME Dr Rachel Garrett. But when Pudge tries to behead Etienne Rachel gets in the way and ends up mortally wounded so Etienne returns the favour and saves her life in return...although with the realities of being a vampire, Rachel may not be willing to thank him.

This is the second book in the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter series (after A Quick Bite) which is one of my favourite paranormal romance series. This continues in the same funny vein as the previous installment with some laugh out loud moments mixed in with the romance and drama. The storyline is well plotted and paced and the threat of Pudge lingers in the background of the novel adding a level of tension. This book is also different in that the mortal is turned at the beginning, rather than after everything has been explained leading to some amusing scenes.

Etienne is a great lead and I love that he's really a closet computer geek. It was great to see him and Rachel bonding over a love of computer games. Rachel does well as a human dragged into a paranormal world, and her reluctance to accept her new reality is hilarious. It was interesting how the idea of vampires not being able to read their true mates mind played into their relationship, especially as Etienne had 300 years of being able to judge his flirting technique through the eyes of his date.

I loved how Lissianna and Greg's relationship continues to develop in the background of this book, focusing on Lissianna's wedding shower and their wedding. It was also funny to see Greg giving Rachel advice over dating an immortal. I really enjoyed the world building here as more vampire based drinks unique to this series were introduced and explained such as Sweet Tooth, Sweet Ecstasy and Ever Enduring.

Another thing I loved about this book was that it allowed the reader to get to know the other Argeneau's better especially Margeurite, Lucern, Bastien and Thomas. The last book introduced a heap of characters and there wasn't really a chance to get to know many of them so this was a nice change, particularly given that each of these characters have their own book further into the series. Part of what was so great about the ending was that it created a little overlap with Lucern's story (up next) and hinted at the beginning of Bastien's (book 4).

All in all this was a great read and I'm really looking forward to Single White Vampire.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 49/50

Teaser Tuesday (32)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

My teaser:

"He wanted to eat my Muffin!"
"I certainly hope her muffin is the furball she's carrying," Lucern said with a dry humour that made Bastien laugh and dispelled some of the tension that had been gripping him.

~ Page 310, Love Bites by Lynsay Sands

A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands

Title: A Quick Bite
Author: Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-077375-5
Pages: 360
Series: Argeneau/Rogue Hunter #1
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Lissianna Argeneau suffers from hemaphobia and faints at the sight of blood, which wouldn't be such a problem if she wasn't a vampire. Given the new protocol of feeding from blood bags, Lissianna is treading a dangerous path between starvation and feeding off the wrong people. So as a birthday gift her mother kidnaps Dr. Gregory Hewitt, a phobia expert, in hopes of curing Lissianna...but given their growing attraction Greg may not be the most appropriate doctor for her daughter.

This is the first book in the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter series (although it wasn't the first to be published as the first four were published in the wrong order) which is a favourite of mine. These are really fun light paranormal romances that blend funny moments and romantic moments with a clever and unique backstory. In this series vampirism is caused by biological nanotechnology passed down from Atlantis, and this premise definitely makes them stand out from the crowd.

This story focuses on Lissianna, the youngest Argeneau (at only 202) and a human psychologist Greg. The story is well paced, getting started with a bang with Greg's abuduction and staying at a relatively fast pace throughout. The romance is sweet and develops well, with both characters being open from the start. The backstory is also well written with explanations for everything (which would be conspicuous if absent given the psychologist main character). There isn't any info-dumping and, other than introducing a relatively large cast of characters, this doesn't suffer to much for being the first book in the series. While the romance is the main storyline, there is also a mystery in the background that threatens Lissianna's life which adds a new level of tension.

Lissianna is really sweet and caring breaking the mould from the usual vampire vixen while Greg is incredibly accepting, especially given he starts off kidnapped and tied to a bed by Marguerite. Marguerite is every part the scheming matriarch, finding a way to play every situation to her benefit. My favourite character though has to be Thomas, Lissiana's cousin. He is hilarious but also protective of his cousin.

All in all this was a fun read and I'm looking forward to Love Bites.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 47/50